H2N8 bird flu has been detected in two ostrich farms in Western Cape, South Africa according to a report by Reuters.
“Both farms were placed under quarantine immediately, and no birds are allowed to enter or leave the affected properties. There are around 1000 ostriches on both farms,” the Western Cape department of Agriculture said in a statement.
Bird flu is high pathogenic in birds but unlikely to infect humans. World Health Organization says the likelihood of human infection with H5N8 appears to be low, but that it cannot be excluded.
Wild birds are suspected to be the source the infection. No bird deaths have been recorded nor reported in South Africa.
