Avian Influenza detected in Western Cape: Public urged to stay alert, not alarmed

High pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI or “bird flu”) is a viral disease of birds that can also, on rare occasions, infect humans and mammals. The virus spreads through bird faeces and droplets from the nose and mouth, and is present in other body fluids and tissues of dead birds. The disease can cause high mortality rates in domestic poultry, and severe financial losses, and has also become a threat to wild bird populations.

South Africa recorded at least 7500 deaths in seabirds in 2018, due to the clade 2.3.4.4b H5N8 virus, and nearly 25 000 deaths in 2021 and 2022, due to the clade 2.3.4.4b H5N1 virus. Swift (Greater Crested) Terns were worst affected in 2018 and Endangered Cape Cormorants in 2021 and 2022, but at least 1000 Critically Endangered African Penguins have also died from the disease in Namibia and South Africa. Worldwide, except for Oceania but including Antarctica, mass mortalities have been reported in colony-breeding seabirds and other wild bird species since 2021, some with population-level effects.

Recent developments: In July 2025, there were increasing reports of sick and dead Hartlaub’s Gulls around Cape Town and laboratory confirmation of clade 2.3.4.4b H5N1 HPAI infection in Hartlaub’s Gulls and Great White Pelicans. These are the first detections of HPAI in wild birds in the Western Cape since April 2024 and the first reports of mass mortalities since late 2022. Although the future of this outbreak is hard to predict, monitoring and reporting are necessary to track its progress and effects. The effects of disease on wild birds should be separated from other pressures, like pollution and low food availability, to ensure that conservation efforts continue to be correctly applied.

Signs of bird flu infection: Infected birds may be found dead or may show signs of brain damage, causing abnormal behaviour. These birds may appear unnaturally tame and lack a normal flight response to humans, and may twitch or shake or have fits or seizures.

How does the virus spread? Birds catch the virus directly from other birds, by breathing in droplets from the nose and mouth, and by contact with droppings or objects contaminated with the virus. People can spread the virus on their clothes and hands and on any objects that have touched a sick bird or become contaminated by the virus. Predatory and scavenging bird and mammal species can also become infected by eating dead birds. A small number of people who had contact with infected birds have become infected with clade 2.3.4.4b H5 viruses overseas, but most have only caused mild disease.

How can the public help?

If you encounter a sick or dead wild bird, please report it.

1. Do not touch, feed, or attempt to rescue the bird yourself.
2. Observe from at least 1 metre away and record the following:
   • The exact location (GPS coordinates are best, or an exact street address. You can record the exact location on a smartphone mapping app, WhatsApp location pins work well).
     
   • The date and time 
   • Species (if you can identify it)
   • Clinical signs (tremors, unusual tameness, cloudy eyes)
   • The number of birds affected
3. Take a video and/or photograph of the bird
4. Report immediately via one of these channels:
   • For live seabirds: report to a seabird rehabilitation centre.
   • For dead seabirds:
     • Use the DFFE OCIMS Avian Influenza Reporting Tool: https://arcg.is/1585011, also available at https://ocims.environment.gov.... (click “open in browser” on the first page).
     • If you observe three or more dead birds close together, please report to the responsible local authority (municipality/ CapeNature/ SANParks/ landowner) so that the birds can be safely removed
   • For non-seabirds, report live birds to the local State Veterinarian and dead birds to the responsible local conservation authority (municipality/ CapeNature/ SANParks etc.) so that they can be safely removed.
5. Sadly, affected birds cannot be treated. The authorities will assist with arranging for humane euthanasia, if they agree it is likely to be infected. 

Your report helps us map the outbreak in real time and take swift action to protect other birds.

Protecting Yourself, Your Family & Pets

• Do not handle sick or dead birds without authorisation
• Keep pets away from dead or sick birds.
• Keep your dog on a leash when you are visiting the beach.
• As far as possible, separate domestic poultry and pet birds from wild birds and their droppings and prevent contamination of feed and water by wild birds.
• Seek medical advice if you develop flu-like symptoms (fever, cough, sore throat, inflamed eyes) within 10 days of contact with a sick or dead bird, and inform your healthcare provider about possible HPAI exposure.

What if I have touched a sick or dead bird?

• Remove any bird droppings (guano) or other bodily fluids using a disposable paper towel.
• Wash your hands with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser.
• Disposable items that were in contact with the bird can be packaged in a plastic bag and sent with the bird for safe disposal when collected.
• Surfaces should be cleaned with soap and water, then disinfected with a diluted household bleach solution (120ml of bleach per litre of water/ 30ml/ 2 Tbsp per cup of water).
• Wash your hands again after cleaning.
• Change your clothes and wash your hair before making any contact with other birds.
• Any clothing exposed to a potentially affected bird should be washed and dried in the sun or in a tumble-dryer.