More than 45,000 hens have been culled, incinerated, and buried in southern Mozambique to curb the spread of avian flu. These birds were originally imported from South Africa, which is grappling with a severe bird flu outbreak.

The disease has now reached Mozambique's Morrumbene district in the southern Inhambane province, raising concerns about its potential spread.

Avian flu is highly contagious among poultry and wild birds, and it can rapidly affect entire flocks through droppings, saliva, or contaminated feed and water.

The outbreak has resulted in egg and chicken shortages, causing prices to surge in Mozambique, including the capital, Maputo.

The price of chicken has nearly doubled from 350 Mozambican metical ($5; £4) to 600, and a dozen eggs have risen from 100 to 150 metical.

The 45,000 hens were destroyed due to their contact with infected chickens from South Africa, according to Mozambique's National Director of Livestock Development, Américo da Conceição.

These hens had been imported to Mozambique for egg production.

South Africa's bird flu outbreak has forced the culling of seven million egg-laying hens, equivalent to 20-30% of the country's total stock, according to the South African Poultry Association. The outbreak has also led to egg and chicken meat shortages in South Africa.

Mozambique has banned the importation of chickens, eggs, and chicken feed from South Africa as a response.

Additionally, the circulation of chickens, eggs, and animal feed from the outbreak's epicenter, Morrumbene, to other parts of Mozambique has been halted.

Authorities have confirmed that the hens were incinerated to prevent people from taking and consuming them after the culling.