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Today in History: Thousands of ostriches slaughtered to contain bird flu virus
Earlier that year the H5N1 strain of the virus caused havoc in Asia.
In 2004, South Africa was hit by the H5N2 strain of the Avian Flu Virus. It killed over 2 000 birds in the Middleton area of the Eastern Cape and quickly spread.
On 8 August, the government ordered that 30 000 ostriches be slaughtered in an effort to contain the virus.
All poultry exports as well as moving poultry between the Eastern and Western Cape were suspended.
Earlier that year the H5N1 strain of the virus caused havoc in Asia.
When it hit South Africa, the government acted swiftly in a bid to prevent the same devastation that Asia had suffered.
Information sourced from: South African History Online.
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