The South African Government orders the slaughter of 30 000 ostriches in an effort to contain an outbreak of bird flu

In 2004, South Africa was hit by the H5N2 strain of the Avian Flu Virus. The virus killed over 2000 birds in the Middleton area of the Eastern Cape and quickly spread. On 8 August, the government ordered the slaughter of 30 000 ostriches in an effort to contain the virus. All export of poultry was suspended as well as the movement of poultry between Eastern and Western Cape. Earlier that year the H5N1 strain of the virus had hit Asia. The devastation was so great that when it hit South Africa, the government acted swiftly in a bid to avoid the same devastation that Asia had suffered.