Bird flu in South Africa: expert explains what's behind the chicken crisis and what must be done about it

By Shahn Bisschop, Senior lecturer, specialist poultry veterinarian, University of Pretoria

An outbreak of avian flu – a highly contagious viral infection that affects wild birds as well as poultry – has hit poultry farms in South Africa. Two different strains are causing outbreaks in the country – A(H5N1) and influenza A(H7N6). A specialist in poultry health, Shahn Bisschop, answers some questions put to him by The Conversation Africa.

What strain has broken out in South Africa?

The outbreak caused…

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