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KFC shuts Lesotho stores over South Africa bird flu

BBC Chickens in coopBBC
South Africa has been struck by a deadly, highly infectious type of bird flu

KFC has announced it is closing all its restaurants in Lesotho amid a severe outbreak of bird flu in neighbouring South Africa.

Lesotho's government has banned all poultry imports from the country, which KFC says has "severely impacted" its supply of chicken.

KFC says its chickens come from farms in South Africa which are certified as being free of bird flu.

Lesotho is a mountainous country entirely surrounded by South Africa.

South Africa has been struggling to contain bird flu for several months and has culled more than seven million egg-laying hens - 20-30% of the country's entire stock.

Last week, neighbouring Mozambique slaughtered about 45,000 infected hens it had imported from South Africa.

Namibia also banned the import of South African poultry in September.

The outbreak has led to a shortage of eggs and chicken meat in several countries in southern Africa.

KFC Lesotho said it was committed to finding a resolution and assured customers its restaurants would be opening their doors soon.