This follows an outbreak at Astral’s poultry breeding farm near Villiers in June, which resulted in the company suffering a direct cost impact of approximately R25 million, according to the Stock Exchange News Service (Sens).
READ 10 ways to make sure your poultry stay healthy
According to Astral’s MD of agriculture, Gary Arnold, at this stage the impact has been limited to one poultry shed on the farm.
“This outbreak is being managed with extreme care and diligence on the back of experiences gained with the first outbreak at Villiers,” said Arnold.
In addition to this new case, the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF), had also confirmed four outbreaks of the virus in other commercial poultry operations in South Africa.
The first outbreak which occurred in June, resulted in a number of neighbouring countries suspending the importation of raw meat, eggs and live birds from South Africa.
“The outbreaks in South Africa are no longer just a concern for individual poultry farmers, but is of national [concern for] all poultry-dependent industries and job creators,” Astral’s CEO, Chris Schutte said.
