Namibia detected a deadly form of bird flu that can be transmitted to humans for the first time in its history, the Directorate of Veterinary Services announced on Thursday.
Reports revealed that the highly-pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza, or HPAI, was found in wild birds in the towns of Walvis Bay and Swakopmund on the southwest African nation’s coastline.
In an emailed statement, the directors said the harvesting of guano, or bird excrement used for fertilizers, had been suspended from those areas as a result. It also banned the movement of live and domestic birds.
Bird flu often spreads through migrating birds and highly pathogenic varieties can be deadly to poultry.
The outbreak in Namibia comes as Europe has been facing a grim season, with cases detected in more than two dozen countries since October, risking higher chicken prices and fewer-free range eggs.
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