The Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform together with the Ministry of Health and Social Services recently confirmed the outbreak of the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1 strain in wild birds along the coastal line of Walvis Bay and Swakopmund.

The HPAI H5N1 is a zoonotic strain and can be transmitted to humans from infected birds.

The public is advised to:

– Immediately report any suspicion of sick or dead domestic/wild birds to the nearest state veterinary office or other relevant government officials.

-The public is cautioned not to handle sick/dead birds or consume their products.

– People who become sick, following the handling of wild/domestic birds should report immediately to the nearest health facility.

– For more information or to report sightings of dead birds, please contact the state veterinary office 064-203073/0811431149 or health facility on 081 141 3190.