Argentina and Uruguay reported their first cases of avian flu among wild birds on February 15, spreading the virus to South America as well. Only Brazil, Guyana and Suriname have confirmed cases of bird flu.
Although no bird flu has yet been detected in Brazil, there are concerns there because of the cases in Argentina and Uruguay. However, Brazil’s proximity to productive regions and the absence of major geographic barriers increase the chances of the virus reaching the world’s largest chicken exporter. This is reported by the English-language poultry news site Poultry World.
Appropriate measures
In the Uruguayan case, the virus was identified in a black-necked swan near Lagoa Garzón on the country’s southern coast. In Argentina, the disease was identified in the province of Jujuy in Andean geese. According to Uruguay’s El Observador newspaper, the authorities of the Ministry of Animal Husbandry, Agriculture and Fisheries are assessing the situation and appropriate measures will be taken.
Urgent meeting Argentina
Meanwhile, Argentina’s Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries Minister Juan José Bahillo called an emergency meeting on the matter. “The presence of the virus in Argentina is putting all our services on edge, but we are not surprised. We are already working with various prevention organizations and territorial coverage to get the problem under control,” said the minister.
Migratory birds
According to Bahilo, the most common route of entry is through migratory birds, which are difficult to control. “Bird migrations brought the disease-causing virus from the northern hemisphere,” he adds. Bird flu wiped out millions of birds in Europe, North America and Asia in the months before its arrival in South America.
Brazil is alert
In Brazil, the responsible Associação Brasileira de Proteína Animal (ABPA), after confirmation in neighboring countries, issued a note stating that ‘it is monitoring the actions’. The disease is devastating to birds and could cause €2.4 billion in damage to Brazil’s poultry sector, according to a survey. The Brazilian association said it was in direct contact with the Asociación de Productores Avícolas Sur, a regional poultry representative in the south that serves Argentina and Uruguay, along with members of other organizations in Latin America. The aim is to monitor the situation together with the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock.
Safety protocols
In the note, ABPA emphasizes the importance for Brazil – to remain free of bird flu – to comply with biosecurity protocols, especially in protecting its commercial populations.