SAN SALVADOR – Honduras declared a health emergency for 90 days, extendable due to the presence of avian influenza in the Central American country, reported the Honduran government’s Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock.
The government decree, published in the newspaper La Gaceta, maintains that the state of sanitary emergency is intended to prevent, control and eliminate the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza in domestic and wild birds.
According to the Minister of Agriculture, Honduras has detected 123 cases of avian influenza in pelicans. Of these, 109 were found dead.
“If you find a sick or dead bird, do not approach it, do not try to move it, rescue it or handle it,” added the Ministry of Agriculture.
At least two foci of avian influenza have been detected: one in La Ceiba, on the country’s Atlantic coast, and another in the municipality of Cortés.
The Honduran government keeps more than 28,000 backyard birds under surveillance. Above all, wild pelicans, which represent the majority of animals killed by the disease.
“In order to prevent the spread and fight the avian influenza disease detected in pelicans that live together at sea, the epidemiological fences have been activated to avoid contagion to poultry,” said the head of Agriculture, Laura Suazo.
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