The South African poultry sector is urgently calling on the government to expedite the approval of practical vaccination protocols against Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), warning that biosecurity measures alone will be insufficient to prevent a new devastating outbreak.
Industry leaders and producers who participated in a recent webinar organized by FairPlay agreed that despite significant strengthening of farm biosecurity measures following the 2023 avian flu crisis, vaccination must become an integral part of a broader disease management strategy. This is necessary to protect food security, jobs, and export markets.
Isaac Brightenhabe, General Manager of Broiler Organisation in the South African Poultry Association (SAPA), noted that the industry has been collaborating with the government for three years to promote vaccination, but progress is slower than expected. He emphasized that while much attention is currently focused on bovine ulcerative disease, which affects cattle, highly pathogenic avian influenza is equally important because there is no current disease presence, which offers an opportunity to prevent a future crisis.
Brightenhabe explained that SAPA submitted an application under Section 23 in April 2026 following objections to the vaccination protocols issued by the Animal Health Directorate. He clarified that their concern was not about lowering standards, but rather about obtaining scientifically proven monitoring and biosecurity protocols that most producers can realistically implement.
Obed Lukhele, Technical Head of Agriculture at Astral Foods, stated that biosecurity remains the foundation of avian influenza prevention, but international experience has shown that it cannot eliminate all risks. He noted that traditional control methods include biosecurity, movement control, and culling infected birds, but globally, it is now recognized that adherence to biosecurity alone is not enough. Vaccination must serve as an additional tool to support biosecurity.
Lukhele also pointed out that HPAI remains a reportable disease due to its significant trade implications and highlighted the growing threat posed by the current H5N1 strain. He stressed that vaccination must be based on scientific data and supported by robust surveillance systems. In Lukhele's view, using the correct vaccine in conjunction with constant monitoring will help control the disease while maintaining export capabilities, aligning with best international practices.
Commercial farmer John Fury described how the 2023 outbreak fundamentally changed producers' approach to managing their farms. Biosecurity ceased to be a measure applied only during outbreaks and became part of daily culture. He described routine improvements such as dedicated footwear for in-farm and off-farm use, stricter access control, improved cleaning protocols, and faster reporting of suspicious diseases, which have become the norm on many farms.
Nevertheless, Fury acknowledged the limitations of producers' capabilities. He insisted that vaccination should complement, not replace, strong biosecurity measures. He emphasized that effective outbreak preparedness is built on daily decisions made by farmers, consistently adhered-to standards, and a farm culture that prioritizes disease prevention long before an outbreak occurs.
Lukhele also called for strengthening the state's veterinary capacity, including improving surveillance of wild and domestic poultry. He noted that the risk level in wild and domestic bird populations is not yet fully understood. In conclusion, Brightenhabe advised the Minister of Agriculture to make engagement with the industry an immediate priority, stating: 'The first step is for the Minister to meet with the industry to understand the complexity of South Africa's second-largest agricultural sector.'
The National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) issued a new regulatory instruction that requires manufacturers to modernize the composition of Covid-19 vaccines used in Brazilian territory. From this moment on, the immunizers must be monoclonal and adjusted to face the most recent variants of the coronavirus circulating.
This determination, formalized in regulatory instruction number 454 and published on page 113 of the Thursday (09) edition of the Official Gazette of the Union, aims to synchronize the population's immune protection with the genetic changes of SARS-CoV-2. The standard specifies that new batches must focus on the LP.8.1 strain or antigens from the JN.1 lineage, including variants such as XFG and NB.1.8.1.
The regulatory document also clarified that older vaccine stocks do not need to be discarded immediately, granting them a maximum usage period of up to nine months after the approval of the update carried out by each manufacturer.
The need for this continuous update mirrors the annual procedure applied to the flu vaccine. Due to the constant mutations of the Covid-19 virus, its structure changes, allowing it to partially evade defenses created by previous infections or outdated immunizers. Although reformulation does not mean that previous doses have lost their effectiveness, it ensures that the new doses provoke a more robust immune response.
To comply with this new directive, pharmaceutical companies responsible for the vaccines must submit a formal request for formula change to Anvisa. This process requires the presentation of detailed information about the production process, quality control of the modified immunizer, results of specific laboratory tests, and, if applicable, new clinical data on safety and efficacy.
The regulatory agency communicated that it will expedite the evaluation of these requests, using international parameters and taking into account the accumulated safety history of each vaccine platform. Since this is an adjustment to an already widely tested and validated technology, the release process for the renewed versions occurs more swiftly, dispensing with the complete repetition of testing stages.
With this decision, Brazil reinforces its model of genomic surveillance and continuous immunization, even after the most critical phase of the Covid pandemic. Instead of developing a completely new product with each outbreak, industry and diagnostic medicine adapt existing tools in real time. The ultimate goal is to ensure that both the Unified Health System (SUS) and the private network provide current and efficient compounds against current threats.
Residents of South Africa have received an urgent warning from conservation authorities: they should avoid the coast and any contact with wild animals amid the ongoing outbreak of a highly pathogenic strain of avian influenza, which is severely affecting wild bird populations along the West Coast.
The reason for this warning is World Bird Day. Specialists are asking visitors and coastal residents not to touch, move, or attempt to rescue sick or dead birds. Furthermore, pets are instructed to stay away from infected areas to prevent further spread of the virus.
Conservation organizations have increased monitoring as experts warn that some strains can cross species barriers and infect humans. Although human cases remain rare, people vacationing on beaches are advised to seek immediate medical attention if they develop flu-like symptoms after possible exposure.
Dr. Ashley Naidu, Executive Director of CapeNature, emphasized that seabirds serve as important indicators of the health of fragile marine and coastal ecosystems. He noted that the public can actively assist conservation agencies by reporting suspicious cases and strictly adhering to safety rules, thereby reducing risks to both wildlife and people.
To help authorities track the disease's spread, map affected areas, and coordinate emergency measures, people are asked to observe any affected animals from a safe distance. Witnesses should record the exact location, date, species, number of affected birds, and any specific clinical signs of the illness, which typically include severe neurological symptoms such as tremors, loss of coordination, and disorientation.
Currently, there is no treatment for this virus in wild populations. When veterinary teams confirm infection, authorities regularly organize humane euthanasia to prevent unnecessary suffering and stop the chain of transmission.
To report live, suffering seabirds, contact the Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB). Reports of single deceased seabirds should be submitted online through the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment's coastal information systems at arcg.is/1585011 or via the official platform ocims.environment.gov.za. In emergencies, when multiple dead birds are found together, local rescue networks, the municipality, CapeNature, or SANParks must be notified immediately at 083 236 2924 or by email at estuaries@capenature.co.za for safe biosecure removal.
Other categories of live birds should be reported to the local government veterinarian, and any other dead wild birds should be directed to provincial conservation authorities. Officials stressed that every report provided by the public offers vital data for protecting South Africa's remaining wildlife.
