detection of bird flu in Argentina worries the authorities and producers of the countryafter confirming the death of more than 220 thousand birds in Rio Negro and 20 thousand specimens affected by the virus in a poultry farm from Mar del Plata.
An establishment in Mainqué, Rio Negro province, record the death of 220 thousand chickens due to the infection added to “sanitary depopulation”that is to say those birds that must be slaughtered to avoid the spread of the disease.
While, in the town of Mar del Plataanother farm with the same characteristics reported the death of more than 20,000 birds.
Avian flu in Argentina
From the control body they assured that, de the more than 200 notifications analyzed by the SENASA LaboratoryTo the date There are 40 confirmed cases in backyard birds (32), wild (4) and commercial sector (4) distributed as follows:
- 16 in Cordoba
- 9 in Buenos Aires
- 4 in Neuquen
- 4 in Santa Fe
- 2 in Rio Negro
- 1 in Chaco
- 1 in Jujuy
- 1 in Santiago del Estero
- 1 in St. Louis
- 1 in Salta
Based on this data, they reported that the high bird mortality rate was caused by the spread of the disease, which occurs rapidly in animals.
In this line, The health entity intensified the request to producers to reinforce their biosecurity measures which consist of set up barriers so that the virus does not come into contact with the birds on the farm.
Recommendations for those who have birds
- Keep birds penned up so they don’t come into contact with wild birds
- Avoid visiting other poultry establishments
- Wear exclusive clothing and footwear for work
- Dispose of food and drink in closed places
- Place elements on the property that help dispel wild birds (scarecrows, balloons, sound devices or devices that reflect light)
- Check the health of the birds daily
They also remarked that it is essential to immediately notify SENASA to the phone (11) 5700-5704before the following clinical signs: increased mortality or sudden death, ruffled plumage, decay and lack of appetite, difficult breathing, sneezing, coughing and/or nasal secretions, swelling of the head, face, combs, chins and legs, skin hemorrhage and feet, incoordination, diarrhoea, decreased egg production, soft shelled or misshapen eggs, prostration and death.
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Argentine News
Expansion
The disease entered the country in February, for wild bird migratory routes who come from the north, specifically from United States and Canadawhere they have had this disease for several years.
This week three positive cases of bird flu. Two of them in commercial farm birdsone in the province of Buenos Aires and the other in Neuquén, while the rest was a backyard bird in Chaco.
On Wednesday, March 1, the first positive case in poultry was confirmed and Argentina temporarily lost its “bird flu free” status. This means that, in order to comply with international standards, the country decided to suspend the export of poultry products.
sanitary measures
As pointed out by the Government, poultry production for domestic consumption will continue to develop normally “since HPAI (highly pathogenic avian influenza) is not transmitted by the consumption of chicken meat and eggs”, but only is transmissible to humans “if a sick bird is handled”.
According to the current protocol, the place where the virus is detected is declared a “hot spot” and is completely blocked.
“100% of the production is eliminated: chicken, egg, whatever. You have to do burial and whitewash, obviously the chicken is waterproofed so as not to contaminate the layers, it is covered with earth and it is whitewashed with quicklime. Finished that process, the farm is blocked for two incubation periods”, which means “about 60 days of inactivity”, SENASA specialists pointed out.
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The growers hope to meet with government officials to express their concern and negotiate relief measures to alleviate the situation.
Source: Ambito
