They confirmed the first case of bird flu in poultry and the government suspended exports

After the first positive case of “bird flu” in poultry was confirmed by Senasa, Argentina temporarily lost its disease-free status and decided to suspend the export of poultry products, in accordance with international standards . Consumption of chicken meat will continue to grow unchanged because bird flu is not transmitted to humans through the consumption of chicken meat or eggs, as explained by the Ministry of Agriculture in a press release .

The National Health and Agrifood Quality Service (Senasa) “confirmed the first positive case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (IAHP) H5 in poultry”, registered in the city of Mainque, in the province of Río Negro.

“It should be noted that the production of poultry for consumption in the country will continue to develop normally since HPAI is not transmitted through the consumption of chicken meat and eggs. Likewise, refrigerators that export will be able to market their products in the domestic market,” the statement said.

The positive case comes from a broiler establishment located in the mentioned town of Rio Negro, south of the zoophytosanitary barrier of Patagonia, in an area with low poultry density.

“Senasa has ordered to implement the corresponding containment measures, established in the Avian Flu Emergency Manual, in order to avoid the spread of the disease to other establishments that produce birds intended for the commercial circuit”, said Agriculture.

At the same time, in accordance with international protocols, Senasa authorities will officially communicate the news to the World Organization for Animal Health (WHO).

The technicians of the agency in charge of animal health “are already working to obtain the rapid restoration of the country’s status free from the disease, and the resumption of poultry exports”.

Thus, of the 177 notifications analyzed by the Senasa Laboratory, to date, there are 25 confirmed cases in wild birds (3), barnyard (21) and commercial sector (1) distributed as follows: 13 in Córdoba, 4 in Buenos Aires, 2 in Río Negro, 2 in Santa Fe, 1 in Jujuy, 1 in Neuquén , 1 in San Luis and 1 in Salta.

As explained by the authorities, in case of observation of the presence or suspicion of clinical signs compatible with HPAI in birds or discovery of dead domestic and/or wild birds, notify Senasa by going to one of the of its offices.

You can also obtain information through the “Senasa Notifications” application, by sending an email to [email protected]; by entering the “Notify Senasa” section of the agency’s website or by sending a WhatsApp to 11-5700-5704.

Until now, transmission from animals to humans was very rare. In America, since last year, only 2 cases of people affected by bird flu have been reported, who had been in close contact with birds.

Earlier this month, the World Health Organization (WHO) deemed the risk of a bird flu pandemic in humans to be “low”. But this week experts on the matter met and one of the UN health agency’s officials, Sylvie Briand, called recent developments “worrying”.

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