With public safety and animal welfare remaining key concerns during the global bird flu crisis, ChickenFacts provides an analysis of bird flu virus transmission and the associated risks through poultry trade.
Read: Understanding the Facts: Bird Flu Transmission Via Imports
Bird Flu Transmission Via Trade
Globally, there are no documented cases of HPAI being transmitted to local poultry flocks via imported frozen chicken meat.
Despite widespread outbreaks in countries like Brazil, the United States, and parts of Europe, veterinary authorities have not traced any infections linked to the global trade of frozen poultry.
Notably, trade bans and regionalisation protocols are precautionary measures, not responses to proven transmission. South Africa’s own import protocols include automatic suspension of imports from HPAI-affected regions, as outlined by the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD).
Read: From Dock to Dish: How Safe is Imported Chicken?
