According to a submission to the World Organization of Animal Health (WOAH), authorities in the Republic of South Africa have identified an H7Nx strain of highly pathogenic avian influenza in two poultry farms in the Province of Mpumalanga, east of the capital of Pretoria in an area of high poultry density including commercial flocks and backyard chickens.

Attempts will be made to eradicate the infection in the region.  The source of the virus has yet to be determined but is presumed to have been introduced by migratory birds.  It is hoped that samples will be made available for sequencing to determine whether the virus has an Eurasian genome.  Surveillance of wild birds will also be helpful.