February 24, 2023

Argentina on high alert for bird flu

Health officials in Argentina have detected eight cases of bird flu in the country's north, with reinforced sanitary controls to be implemented to be prevent the spread of the virus to industrial poultry farms that produce meat and eggs, El Pais reported.

Argentina's Economy Ministry said all infections discovered so far were among backyard or wild birds, but the Argentine government is worried about a potential spread of the disease to commercial farms in a sector that generates more than US$350 million in exports annually.

Sergio Massa, Argentina's Economy Minister, said a single case in the production process would automatically lead suspension of exports, adding that the government will tighten security measures at border crossings and inspect natural areas where wild birds gather.

Neighbouring Bolivia had detected bird flu in early February, with more than 140,000 birds already culled on broiler farms there. Bird flu was also confirmed in Uruguay, and both Paraguay and Brazil are awaiting confirmations.

The Argentine government has urged producers who suspect cases to report them without concern that their production will be affected.

Juan Jose Bahillo, Argentina's Agriculture Minister, said they will financially compensate producers for the replacement of these birds. Health authorities have been alerted to 98 possible infections, eight of which have been found in the provinces of Cordoba, Santa Fe, Salta, and Jujuy.

Argentina is the eighth biggest poultry producer in the world, based on data from the country's Ministry of Agriculture. 97% of poultry production in the country is for domestic consumption, with the remaining 3% shipped to more than 56 countries.

-      El Pais