The government has put in place “extraordinary health measures” to prevent the spread of bird flu

Given the increase in detected cases of Avian Flu, the national government published in the Official Gazette a series of “extraordinary measures” aimed at preventing the spread of the virus throughout the country. They establish restrictions relating to domestic, ornamental and wild birds. He National Health and Food Quality Service (Senasa) confirmed that there were already 11 cases detected and the importance of not having direct contact with these animals was underlined.

With the signature of Diana Guillén, president of the National Service for Health and Food Quality (Senasa), resolution 166/2023 was published in the Official Journal. Article 1 specifies that throughout the country “extraordinary health measures are established in response to the declaration of a health emergency due to highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in the Argentine Republic”.

Concentrations of live birds. It is prohibited throughout the national territory to hold exhibitions, fairs, events and recreational activities that involve the concentration and movement of domestic, ornamental and wild birds for any reason.

– Prohibition of the distribution or sale of live birds in fodder, agricultural or veterinary stores.

– Prohibition of movement of farmyard, ornamental and sport birds.

– In the absence of health documentation covering the movement of live birds for any reason and/or purpose whatsoever, their intervention will be carried out in accordance with the regulations in force. As such, in the event of an irregularity, it may be confiscated.

– Extraordinary measures are established to authorize the entry of avian genetics into the country, as well as their transfer within the territory, regardless of the sanitary situation of the country of export.

– Upon notification of birds showing symptoms compatible with HPAI in protected areas, the necessary sanitary measures will be put in place to minimize the spread of the disease. Among the measures to be adopted is the limitation of public access.

– Provincial wildlife authorities will be asked to arbitrate the means necessary to reduce the spread of the HPAI virus by wildlife, by limiting activities that promote bird dispersal and contact between wild birds and humans, such as chase.

In this way, the controls and measures planned to reduce the number of positive cases of bird flu in Argentina will be reinforced. So far, all have been detected in animals and it has been clarified that the risk of transmission to humans is low. However, it was recommended to avoid direct contact with wild birds.

The Ministry of Health said that “disease is not transmitted to people through the consumption of poultry meat and its by-products. There is therefore no danger in consuming these foods. Although there are little possibility of human transmission, it can occur when secretions or droppings of infected birds are inhaled by people or when the virus comes into contact with the mucous membranes of the mouth, nose or eyes.

On Wednesday, the Federal Council of Agriculture (CFA) also held a meeting to strengthen controls and measures to prevent the spread of the virus.

The meeting brought together the Secretary of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries of the Nation, Juan José Bahillo, the President and Vice President of Senasa, Diana Guillén and Rodolfo Acerbi, and the Ministers of Agriculture and production across the country. There they agreed to strengthen measures, controls and indications to prevent the number of bird flu cases from continuing to increase.

The planning strategy at the national level is to prevent “no farm from suffering losses due to the disease and not to affect Argentina’s health status at the international level”, Bahillo said. Furthermore, he maintained that in this way, not only will work be done to reduce the spread of the virus, but also greater peace of mind will be offered to the public through greater awareness of the virus.

In this regard, Senasa representatives stressed the importance of not having direct contact with dead, dying or strangely behaving birds as they could be sick. For this reason, Acerbi argued that “vigilance and awareness measures should be maximized in tourist areas” as well as encouraging people to report suspected cases of bird flu.

Those who identify dead domestic or wild birds, or suspect they have nervous, respiratory, digestive problems, decreased egg production, water or food consumption; can issue an alert on the situation. Notifications of suspected cases can be provided in person at Senasa offices, or via WhatsApp 11 5700 5704, the “Senasa Notifications” application, or by email [email protected].

Regarding the protocol that is taken against a positive case of bird flu, it was reported that Senasa proceeds to sacrifice and bury the animal with the objects that have been in contact with them. Additionally, it has been reported that a search of 10 kilometers in all directions is underway to verify that the disease has not spread.

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