Avian influenza and bird migration: the 5 species in which the virus has been detected in Argentina

So far, the species of Yes who have been affected by the pathogen of flu or avian influenza in the Argentina they are birds savage and domestic birds that are raised in patios or around houses (backyards), as reported to GlobeLiveMedia today the National Service for Hygiene and Food Quality (Senasa).

Since last week, the bird flu virus has been detected in birds that were in 4 jurisdictions of the country: Jujuy, Córdoba, Salta and Santa Fe.

“So far, the bird flu virus has only been identified in wild birds and domestic or backyard birds. No cases of avian influenza have been reported in farms or industrial establishments. For this reason, Argentina maintains the status of a country free of bird flu,” he explained to GlobeLiveMedia the veterinary doctor Vicente Rea Pidcovaof the Senasa avian health program in Argentina.

The wild species affected were the Andean goose (in Jujuy) and the wild duck (in Córdoba). With regard to domestic or barnyard birds, in Villa Cañas, in the province of Santa Fe, the bird flu virus has been detected in dead barnyard chickens and ducks.

In the town of Alejo Ledesma, Córdoba, dead backyard turkeys have been found. In La Isla, department of Cerrillos, province of Salta, the pathogen was detected in a domestic hen.

The ace 5 species of birds that have been identified with avian flu in the country are: Andean goose, wild duck, chickens, turkeys and domestic or barnyard ducksaccording to Senasa.

The increase in cases of birds affected by influenza or avian influenza is linked to an unusual epidemic season that has been developing since last year in the world.

According to the World Organization for Animal Health (WHO), the avian flu epidemic season produced 290 reported outbreaks in poultry and around 140 in wild birds between December 2, 2022 and January 5, 2023. These cases in birds have been recorded in Europe, America, Asia and Africa.

The most common way for the virus to enter a territory is through migratory wild birds, which can carry the virus asymptomatically. If these birds come into contact with poultry – which often hang out together in large numbers – the risk of outbreaks increases.

“There are different migration routes for birds. Some species fly between North America and South America and follow four different routes. Other species migrate to South America. Others migrate only between northern Argentina and southern Brazil to the south. For the moment, it has not been specifically identified whether the birds affected by the avian flu were in areas further north or if they were infected by other animals that had migrated,” said Rea Pidcova.

In addition to bird migration as one of the factors that favored the presence of the bird flu virus in four provinces of Argentina, the expert mentioned that more cases have been detected thanks to greater awareness of the infection.

“With the public communication that is being done about the risk of the disease being present in birds, given the regional epidemiological situation in South America, there is now more awareness in society and this is making more people suspicious and inform Senasa when they find an animal that is dead or showing symptoms,” said Rea Pidcova.

Another factor that the expert mentioned as a possibility is that the drought disaster affecting Argentina has also had an influence. “When drought hits, there are fewer places with water available for birds,” he said. Therefore, the drought would have increased the risk of birds congregating in the few places with water that remain in the natural habitats. If some have the bird flu virus, the risk of transmission increases between animals that are in closest contact, he said.

At present, Senasa is analyzing more suspected cases of avian influenza in birds. It centralizes the samples in the laboratory available to the public body in Martínez, in the northern suburbs. The results of each analysis can be in 24 hours.

At the same time, the Ministry of Health of the Nation estimated in its last epidemiological bulletin that – for the moment – the risk of transmission of avian flu to humans is “low”. Currently, the infection is not transmitted to humans through the consumption of poultry meat and its by-products, such as eggs.

People acquire the infection mainly through direct contact with live or dead infected animals or with their contaminated environment. In 19 years, from 2003 to 2022, 868 human cases of bird flu have been reported worldwide.

To prevent more cases of bird flu during carnival days, Senasa made these 5 recommendations:

– Do not enter birds or poultry products in Argentina without authorization from Senasa

– Avoid contact with wild and domestic or commercial birds

– Do not visit poultry farms in Argentina for at least 72 hours if the person has been in contact with birds from other countries

– Do not touch dead birds or birds that appear sick

– In the presence or suspicion of clinical signs compatible with avian influenza, Senasa must be notified. You can visit any of its Senasa offices

You can use the “Senasa Notifications” application, by sending an email to [email protected]; in the “Notify Senasa” section of the organization’s website or send a WhatsApp to 11-5700-5704

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