More than 130,000 chickens have died or been culled in the Western Cape as a result of a bird flu outbreak in the province.
The avian influenza virus, commonly known as bird flu, has been detected at four poultry farms in the province so far.
The provincial Department of Agriculture’s spokesperson Ivan Meyer says the infected farms are near Worcester, Malmesbury and Hopefield.
“Approximately 134 000 birds have died or have been culled to date,” Meyer said.
Strains of the avian influenza virus recently identified in South Africa carry a low risk for human infection. However, humans can transmit the virus from sick birds to other birds on their clothes and hands.
People are therefore advised to handle all dead birds with gloves and wash their hands afterwards.