Brazil registers first cases of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in wild birds

21 de May de 2023
Gonzalo Alcalde

In view of the detection of the first cases of the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza virus – H5N1 in three wild birds on the coast of Espírito Santo, the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (Mapa) informs that:

On Wednesday (10), the Official Veterinary Service (SVO) began the investigation of suspected avian influenza after notification received by the Institute for Research and Rehabilitation of Marine Animals of Cariacica (Ipram), in Espírito Santo
Two seabirds of the Thalasseus acuflavidus species were rescued, one located in the municipality of Marataízes and another in the Jardim Camburi neighborhood, in Vitória, both on the coast of Espírito Santo. This Monday, after the end of the epidemiological investigations, the detection of HPAI was also confirmed in a third migratory bird of the species Sula leucogaster that was already at Ipram
Material for diagnosis, biological samples were collected by the SVO and sent to the Federal Laboratory for Agricultural Defense of São Paulo (LFDA-SP), a reference unit of the World Organization for Animal Health (WHOA), which confirmed that it was Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza subtype H5N1. These were the first cases of HPAI registered in Brazil
It should be noted that the notification of infection by the HPAI virus in wild birds does not affect the status of Brazil as a country free of HPAI and the other WHOA member countries must not impose prohibitions on the international trade of Brazilian poultry products
Avian influenza, also known as avian flu, is a highly contagious viral disease that mainly affects wild and domestic birds. Currently, the world is experiencing the greatest pandemic of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza and most cases are related to the contact of migratory wild birds with subsistence, production or local wild birds
Depending on the evolution of the investigations and the epidemiological scenario, new sanitary measures may be adopted by the Ministry of Agriculture and by state agricultural health agencies to prevent the spread of HPAI and protect the national poultry industry
At the same time, communication actions about the disease and the main prevention measures will be intensified in order to raise awareness and sensitize the population in general and poultry breeders, in particular, with emphasis on the immediate notification of suspected cases of the disease and the reinforcement of biosecurity measures in poultry production, including guidelines for different segments of society, both in rural and urban areas
Human infections by the Avian Influenza virus can be acquired mainly through direct contact with infected birds (dead or alive). In this way, we remind the entire population that, when sighting sick birds, call the local veterinary service or make the notification through e-Sisbravet . Do not touch or pick up sick birds. The disease is not transmitted by eating poultry or eggs.
The Animal Health Department of the Secretariat of Agricultural Defense of the Ministry of Agriculture has already notified the WHOA regarding the detection, as well as will respond to questions from society, as it usually does.
The Minister of Agriculture and Livestock, Carlos Fávaro, declares a state of alert to increase the mobilization of the private sector and the entire official veterinary service to increase national preparation, increasing vigilance over the HPAI pandemic