First modification:
The automatic loss of the status of a bird flu-free country has led the Argentine government to take measures to isolate the bird flu virus, which entered the commercial circuit after another 24 cases were confirmed in wild and domestic birds.
By Márcio Resende, RFI correspondent in Buenos Aires
The Argentine government has had to adopt the international protocol that prohibits the sale of chickens and eggs abroad, after confirming the first case of bird flu in the country. The virus is very damaging to commercial production. The measure is the first of the plan to isolate the disease.
“The National Agrifood Health and Quality Service (SENASA) has confirmed the first positive case of highly pathogenic avian influenza in poultry from farms in the province of Río Negro (Patagonia), which leads the country to temporarily lose its status as a free of the disease and to self-suspend the export of poultry products, in accordance with international standards,” SENASA said in a statement late Tuesday night.
This first case in the commercial circuit of Argentina joins another 24 detected in wild (3) and domestic (21) birds in eight provinces, including the main ones in the country such as Buenos Aires, Córdoba and Santa Fe.
Consumption does not pose any risk
The presence of bird flu forces slaughterhouses to sell their production for export on the domestic market. Given the fear of Argentines for the risk of contracting the virus, Senasa stressed that “the disease is not transmitted by the consumption of chicken meat and eggs.”
The World Health Organization (WHO) considers the disease to be highly fatal for birds, and transmission to humans is possible through contact with sick birds; Not by eating meat.
“SENASA will apply the corresponding containment measures established in the avian flu control manual to prevent the spread of the disease to other poultry-producing establishments,” added the Secretary of Agriculture, Juan José Bahillo.
According to SENASA, “we are working to achieve the prompt restitution of the country’s status as a country free of avian influenza and the resumption of poultry exports.”
On February 24, Japan had already suspended imports of poultry products from Argentina.
Fifteen days ago, Argentina declared a health emergency throughout its territory, reinforcing border controls.
Argentina produces 2.5 million tons of chicken, of which it exports 10%. In 2022, the country exported 420 million dollars in poultry products (meat and eggs), with China, the European Union and Saudi Arabia being its three main markets.
