March 8, 2013

Mexico will administer 210 million poultry vaccines monthly in order to control the spread of the highly pathogenic avian flu, AH7N3, to other poultry processing plants in the country, according to the Mexican Ministry of Agriculture (SAGARPA).

This comes after a confirmed avian flu outbreak at 12 of Industrias Bachoco's poultry farms, all based in the Mexican state of Guanajuato.

The SENASICA added that "as a priority," long-life chickens and hens will first be vaccinated as these are usually in production for 80 to 140 weeks.

Initially only breeding birds will be vaccinated in the Mexican states of San Luis Potosi, Mexico, Hidalgo, Tlaxcala, Michoacán and Morelos, whereas progenitor and breeding birds will be vaccinated in the states of Coahuila, Puebla and Querétaro.

These actions will increase food safety and ensure their timely supply to domestic markets, said the SAGARPA.

The National Veterinary Biological Production Agency of Mexico (PRONABIVE) is now developing these poultry vaccines by the order of Mexican Minister of Agriculture, Enrique Martinez y Martinez.