Brazil confirms 2 more cases of avian flu, and the number rises to 5 – 05/20/2023 – Market

The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock confirmed, this Saturday (20), two more cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (IAAP) of the H5N1 subtype. With this, the number of confirmed cases in wild birds rises to five. There are no cases in humans.

According to an official statement, the state of Espírito Santo has one more confirmed case in a wild bird, now of the species thalasseus maximus (popular name thirty-réis-real). The animal was found in the rural area of ​​the municipality of Nova Venécia. “As the occurrence was in a non-coastal area, the surveillance action will also be extended to neighboring municipalities: São Gabriel da Palha and Águia Branca”, said the ministry.

The other case, also in a wild bird, was detected in the state of Rio de Janeiro, in São João da Barra, in a coastal area. In this case, the bird is of the species Thalasseus acuflavidus (popular name thirty-réis-de-bando).

The transmission of avian influenza occurs through direct contact with birds infected by the virus, living or dead, or indirect contact through objects such as shoes, surfaces, products or waste, such as nests, eggs, feces or urine.

Also because it happens through water contaminated with remains or animal waste or that you have visited markets/fairs with confirmed cases, whether in birds or in humans.

“Therefore, we ask the population to avoid contact with sick or dead birds and activate the local veterinary service or carry out the notification through e-Sisbravet”, said the ministry, in a note.

human cases

Also this Saturday, the Ministry of Health ruled out a suspected case of avian flu (H5N1) in an employee at Parque Fazendinha, in Vitória, Espírito Santo, where a sick bird was found.

In a note, the ministry reported that only 1 of the 33 employees was under observation as a suspected case for the disease, due to having flu-like symptoms throughout the week.

The 61-year-old man had negative laboratory results for all viral targets tested, including Avian Influenza (H5N1).

Brazil continues without any case in its population. The samples were analyzed by the Fiocruz laboratory.