South Africa Friday lifted a temporary ban on the movement of ostriches and other poultry in Mossel Bay and Riversdale in the Western Cape Province.

However, provincial health official Cobus Dowry said that this did not apply in areas between the N2 in the south and the Langeberg mountains in the north, and the R232 and R238.

"The temporary suspension on the export of ostrich meat will therefore remain in place," he said.

A ban was placed on ostrich imports and meat from the Mossel Bay and Riversdale districts earlier this month after an outbreak of avian influenza was detected in the two districts.

Dowry said ostriches infected with the virus and high risk contact animals in the Riversdale district had been culled in the past 10 days.

"Following the culling, all ostrich farms within 10 kilometers of the infected property were tested for indications that the disease has spread," said Dowry.

"Based on the negative results obtained the department of agriculture lifted the temporary ban that was placed on the movement of ostriches and other poultry," he added.

Dowry said the regular monitoring of ostrich farms would continue. Where necessary, further investigations would be done and if required, appropriate actions would be taken in respect of individual properties suspected of being infected."

Source: Xinhua