Teams from the Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB ) continue to collect birds affected by Avian Influenza (HPAI).
Cases are definitely on the increase.
Last week SANCCOB reported over 1,000 Critically Endangered African Penguins died from HPAI, since 2018.
Twenty-six suspected cases of HPAI in African Penguins were also reported.
Of these, nine were confirmed by PCR lab testing. Those were from penguins found at Boulder’s Beach, Gordon’s Bay, Rooi Els, Strandfontein in False Bay; Blaawberg and Yzerfontein on the West Coast and Arniston in the Overberg between the 21st of September and the 24th of October 2025.
Over 1400 other seabirds have already died from this disease in 2025, including Common Terns, Hartlaub’s Gulls, Great White Pelicans, Grey-headed Gulls, Kelp gulls, White-breasted cormorants, Crowned Cormorants and Sacred Ibises.
Domestic chickens and ducks were also affected.
SANCCOB rangers are on the ground monitoring seabird colonies, and responding to suspected cases.
According to a protocol for the management of high pathogenicity (April 2024), avian influenza viruses are discharged from the mouth, nostrils and eyes of infected birds.
Therefore, birds spending time together can get infected, through contact and respiratory droplets.
The virus also thrives in water contaminated by faeces, and also in cool, dark conditions and damp areas.
Picture: Supplied