Avian flu leads Brazil to a state of zoosanitary emergency

Alert Decree

The number of cases has not been this high since the 1990s.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock declared a state of zoosanitary emergency throughout the national territory due to cases of avian flu detected in wild birds. The ordinance, signed by Minister Carlos Fávaro, was published in an extra edition of the Official Gazette on Monday night (22) and is valid for 180 days.

The measure, according to the folder, aims to prevent the disease from reaching subsistence and commercial poultry production, in addition to preserving fauna and human health. Also according to the ministry, the declaration of a state of animal health emergency makes it possible to mobilize funds from the Union and to articulate with other ministries, governmental organizations in the three instances and non-governmental organizations.

new confirmed cases
This Monday afternoon (22), the Federal Laboratory for Agricultural Defense in São Paulo confirmed three new positive cases for avian influenza (H5N1) in Espírito Santo, which had been under investigation since last week.

In a note, the ministry informed that wild birds of the species Thalasseus acuflavidus (popular name terns-de-bando) were found in the municipalities of Linhares, Itapemirim and Vitória.

So far, there are eight confirmed cases in birds in the country: seven in Espírito Santo, in the municipalities of Marataízes, Cariacica, Vitória, Nova Venécia, Linhares and Itapemirim; and one in the state of Rio de Janeiro, in São João da Barra. In addition to the species Thalasseus acuflavidus, there are also birds of the Sula leucogaster (pardo booby) and Thalasseus maximus (royal thirtie).

The folder’s orientation is that the population does not collect birds that they find sick or dead and call the nearest veterinary service, in order to prevent the disease from spreading.

Still according to the government, there are no changes in the Brazilian status of free of highly pathogenic avian influenza before the World Organization for Animal Health, as there is no record in commercial production.

Fairs with agglomeration of birds
The ordinance also extends, for an indefinite period, the suspension of holding exhibitions, tournaments, fairs and other events with agglomeration of birds and the rearing of birds outdoors, with access to paddocks without screens in the upper part, in establishments registered with the ministry. .

“The measure applies to any species of production, ornamental, passerine, wild or exotic birds in captivity and other birds bred for other purposes”, detailed the folder.

emergency operations center
Also this Monday, the Secretariat of Agricultural Defense installed an Emergency Operations Center for coordination, planning, evaluation and control of national actions related to avian flu.

“The group will be responsible for coordinating prevention, surveillance and public health care actions, as well as linking information between other ministries, bodies, state agencies and the private sector”, concluded the ministry.

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