:quality(85)//cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/infobae/YYABHMQOX5GB3H54YN5SPHUZYY.jpg "Concern for bird flu: there will be relief measures and more controls to prevent it from reaching production and consumption")
The government organized new measures to stop the spread of bird flu in the country. On the one hand, it was decided to strengthen health controls on imports of genetic and poultry products to prevent the disease from entering the commercial circuit. In addition, the work of the National Health and Food Quality Service (Senasa) will be strengthened with the incorporation of personnel; purchase of appropriate clothing, laboratory supplies, equipment, reinforcement of rodoluvios borders, among others.
Avian flu in Argentina: Senasa extreme vigilance to prevent the spread of the disease
The health agency’s vice president, Rodolfo Acerbi, provided details of the preventive work that has been carried out to prevent the disease from reaching commercial farms. Today there will be a meeting led by the Minister of Economy
The new measures were agreed this afternoon during a meeting moderated by the Minister of Economy, Sergio Massawith the Secretary of Agriculture, Juan Jose Bahillo; the president of Senasa, Diana Guillén; and the vice-president of Senasa, Rodolfo Acerbi. It should be remembered that control and prevention actions are carried out through coordinated work with the national ministries of safety and health, national parks, provincial and municipal governments, the productive sector and veterinary schools.
“We put the whole system on high alert. There is still no impact on production and even less on consumption,” Massa said and announced measures for the sector. “There is no risk for the population or for exports”noted the minister and affirmed that more than 1,000 million pesos will be invested, among other things to compensate producers and add more personnel, infrastructure and logistics.
Avian flu: the government assures that the current situation does not affect production and exports
This was stated by the Ministry of Agriculture and Senasa. Officials stressed the importance of preventive tasks and biosecurity in chicken farms
It aims to carry out a coordinated sanitary barrier program in the next four months to continue supplying external and international markets. Poultry production generates exports for Argentina of over $350 million per year.
During this afternoon’s meeting, officials agreed that As avian flu finds its way into wild and barnyard birds, Argentina will be able to preserve disease status and normal flow of exports. “That is why the national government is strengthening the action plan to prevent the disease from entering the commercial circuit,” they said in a statement.
Summit in government before the advance of avian flu: other measures will be analyzed to deepen controls
The meeting will take place on Tuesday and will be chaired by the Minister of Economy, Sergio Massa. The authorities of the Ministry of Agriculture and Senasa will participate
The new set of measures is in addition to those announced by the government last week when it was confirmed in the first case of bird flu and later with the declaration by Senasa of the health emergency, by Resolution 147/2023. Provisions include: combing disease outbreak areas in wild birds and backyards to identify other sick birds; the strengthening of control and epidemiological surveillance actions at border posts, at all border crossings, with Chile, Bolivia and Uruguay; disinfection of vehicles, control of passengers.
In addition, the mobilization of agents specializing in birds and emergency management from other departments or regional centers of Senasa has been announced, to the offices located at the borders; continuity of awareness campaigns for early notification; awareness, training and recommendations for efforts in biosecurity measures on commercial farms; and articulation with other public entities in monitoring and controlling the movement of birds, bird products and by-products.
It was also reported by the Ministry of Economy that in case of detection of a bird flu case, investigations of the facilities and conditions of the areas or establishment where the animals were found are carried out, and a perimeter is delimited around the place of the hearth to rake and check the possible dead birds or presenting symptoms compatible with the disease.
In turn, neighbors, owners of establishments or provincial environmental authorities are consulted, who have made the declarations in case of suspected mortality or symptoms in birds; establishment of checkpoints to prevent the entry and exit of sick animals or personnel who have recently handled them.
Finally, it was pointed out that in the case of backyard birds “ownership is prohibited and birds that were in the location where mortality and positive samples were determined are sanitaryly culled”.
According to authorities, so far in Argentina, five cases have been reported in four provinces of wild and barnyard birds:
– February 14: In the Laguna de los Pozuelos, Jujuy, wild birds
– February 17: In the Laguna de las Mojarras, Cordoba, wild birds.
– February 18: in Alejo Ledesma -barnyard birds-, Córdoba.
– February 18: in Cerrillos, -barnyard birds-, Salta.
– February 19: in Villa Cañas -barnyard birds-, Santa Fe.
News in development
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