By Faye Knight – The coastline of southern Africa has been facing an outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) since July 2025, specifically in the Western Cape and Gqeberha regions and marking this outbreak to be the first since April 2024. The Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB) has played a leading role in the response to the outbreak, ensuring that their biosecurity protocols have been reinforced to reduce the risk of the disease spreading to the birds in their care.
According to the organisation’s observations, Hartlaub’s gulls have been the most affected since August 2025, with cases in Great White Pelicans, Grey-headed Gulls, Kelp Gulls, Whitebreasted Cormorants, Crowned Cormorants and Sacred Ibises being reported as well. Recent reports have also stated that several cases of HPAI have been confirmed in the Critically Endangered African Penguins populations, adding a new pressure this species has to face.
A statement from the SANCCOB organisation, “Our priorities are: keeping our seabird hospitals safe from infection, supporting conservation authorities with wild responder efforts, monitoring the impact on wild birds, and ensuring good animal welfare. Our actions include surveillance, working with State Veterinary Services and conservation authorities to monitor and manage the disease, advising on response procedures, educating rehabilitation centres, veterinarians, and first responders, and arranging humane euthanasia for birds showing clinical signs.”
SANCCOB’s Cape Town and Gqeberha rehabilitation centres have stated that while the centres remain operational, the implementation of these measures include quarantine and HPAI testing for all incoming seabirds, strict disinfection and sanitation protocols, as well as controlled movement of staff, volunteers, and visitors. They remain determined to protecting seabirds and to the limiting of the spread of this disease across the coastal lines.
Should one come across a possible case of this disease, please see as follows.
How can I tell if a bird has HPAI?
HPAI can only be confirmed through a laboratory (PCR) test. At this time, any bird displaying any of the following signs should be considered a suspected case of HPAI.
- Unusual behaviour or tameness
- Twitches, tremors or seizures
- Cloudy eyes
- Inability to walk or fly away
What to do if you find an affected bird
If you encounter a sick or dead wild bird:
- Do not touch, feed, or attempt to rescue it.
- Keep at least one metre away.
- Record the exact location, time, and species (if known).
- Take a photo or video if possible.
Report immediately to:
- SANCCOB (seabirds): 021 557 6155 (Cape Town) / 078 638 3731 (WhatsApp) / 041 583 1830 (Gqeberha)
- DFFE OCIMS Reporting Tool (other birds): National OCIMS
Your report helps authorities track and respond to the outbreak in real time.
What to do to protect your pets and family
- Keep dogs on leashes near beaches and coastal areas.
- Keep pets and domestic birds away from wild birds and their droppings.
- Wash hands and shoes thoroughly after contact with wild birds.
- If you develop flu-like symptoms after possible exposure, seek medical advice and mention contact with a sick or dead bird.
What if I have touched a sick or dead bird?
- Wash hands with soap and warm water or use an alcohol-based sanitiser.
- Remove droppings or fluids using disposable paper towels and seal them in a plastic bag.
- Disinfect any surfaces with a diluted bleach solution (120 ml bleach per litre of water).
- Wash exposed clothing and dry it in sunlight or a tumble dryer before re-wearing.
- Avoid contact with other birds until you’ve cleaned and changed.
How can I help?
You can help limit the spread of HPAI by:
- Reporting sick or dead seabirds immediately.
- Sharing verified updates from SANCCOB and DFFE.
- Encouraging others not to touch or interfere with wild birds.
Supporting SANCCOB financially or with equipment donations
Public support fuels SANCCOB’s mission to rescue, rehabilitate, and conserve vulnerable and protected Seabirds.
Support by:
- Donating: www.sanccob.co.za/donate
- Contributing equipment: latex gloves, F10 or bleach disinfectant.
- Adopting a Penguin
- Volunteering at SANCCOB’s Cape Town or Gqeberha centres.
By Faye Knight
