Buenos Aires (EFE) Avian H5.
“The confirmation of the entry of the virus into the country puts us more on alert, but it does not surprise us,” said the Secretary of Agriculture of Argentina, Juan José Bahillo, at a press conference in Buenos Aires.
The official pointed out that the first case of this virus in the country comes from a wild bird found in the Laguna de Pozuelos, in the northernmost region of the province of Jujuy.
After the detection of this contagion, Bahillo announced that border controls and evacuations within the territory itself will be reinforced, paying special attention to poultry production farms.
“We allow ourselves to be optimistic that (the virus) would not be entering the productive sectors, but that does not mean that we do not have controls,” said the Secretary of Agriculture, who stressed the importance of transmitting “tranquility” to the community.
“There is no risk that through consumption you can acquire the disease. We want to be clear that only improper manipulation or a careless attitude can cause contagion in humans, but this is absolutely exceptional,” Bahillo explained.
During the press conference, the vice president of Senasa, Rodolfo Acerbi, asserted that work rounds in provincial and national parks will also be increased, adding that the necessary “unfriendly measures” will be taken to stop the spread of the virus.
“Working well and responsibly, the possibility of entering a farm are minimal to scarce,” he said.
Last week, the Argentine government had already announced a reinforcement of epidemiological surveillance on its northern border, after a focus of avian influence was detected in Bolivia.
Uruguay detects the first case
Meanwhile, Uruguay, also on the border with Argentina, declared a health emergency on Wednesday in its territory due to the detection of a case of avian flu in Laguna Garzón, located in the southeast of the country.
This was reported by the Ministry of Livestock, Agriculture and Fisheries (MGAP) at a press conference led by the head of that portfolio, Fernando Mattos, who assured that this “is not a surprise” and that it was expected to happen.
In accordance with this, he pointed out that, if the analysis of the epidemiological evolution of the disease is observed, it can be seen that it is present on all continents and that it has been advancing territorially in America.
“We are facing a viral circulation that has already been verified in Uruguay,” Mattos said, adding that the first case was detected by a park ranger from the National System of Protected Areas who works in Laguna Garzón, located in the southeast of the country. .
On the other hand, he pointed out that this disease is “a risk” for poultry production and for other birds of the native fauna.
bird flu alert
On February 8, the World Health Organization (WHO) warned through an official statement about the spread of this disease in mammals in different regions of the world.
Avian influenza mainly affects domestic birds and is classified into two subtypes based on two surface proteins and is considered highly fatal, according to the WHO.
Although it is an animal disease, transmission to humans who have contact with sick birds is possible.
