Avian flu: producer must reinforce security, recommends association

The eight cases of avian flu confirmed in wild birds in Brazil light a warning sign among industrial producers in the country, The assessment is by the president of the Brazilian Association of Animal Protein (ABPA), Ricardo Santin. “Brazil was the only major producer where (the flu) had not arrived. Now it has arrived in our territory, and we are in a position to keep it away from production so that it doesn’t take food from our consumers’ tables”, he emphasized.

So far, seven cases have been confirmed in Espírito Santo, in the municipalities of Marataízes, Cariacica, Vitória, Nova Venécia, Linhares and Itapemirim; and one in the state of Rio de Janeiro, in São João da Barra. beyond the species Thalasseus acuflavidus (popular name terns-de-bando), there are also birds Sula leucogaster (pardo booby) and Thalasseus maximus (thirty reals).

In an interview with the program Brazil Magazineyes National Radio, Santin recalled that cases in humans are rare – around 800 throughout history, mostly in Asia, where producers commonly raise birds indoors. “It’s like a regular flu. People, to become infected, have to have low immunity and be very exposed to the virus. So if you just pass by, no problem.”

According to the ABPA president, infection in humans requires direct contact with secretions from the sick bird, expelled through the eyes, mouth, urine or feces. “So it’s very rare that people get it. But it is necessary to avoid any exposure exactly to minimize the risks.”

“What do people have to do? If you see a sick bird, staggering, with nervous signs, walking (in a) different way, or a little dizzy, don’t pick it up, call the veterinary service, the federal agricultural tax auditor”, he said. It is up to the producers to report, triple the security measures, not allow them to enter the farm, review the seals and, above all, have exclusive clothes and shoes to enter the aviaries and protect the animals.

Understand

The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock declared a state of zoosanitary emergency throughout the national territory due to cases of avian flu detected in wild birds. A conciergesigned by Minister Carlos Fávaro, was published in an extra edition of Official Diary of the Union on the night of this Monday (22) and is valid for 180 days.

According to the folder, the purpose of the measure is to prevent the disease from reaching subsistence and commercial poultry production, in addition to preserving fauna and human health. Also according to the ministry, the declaration of a state of animal health emergency makes it possible to mobilize funds from the Union and to articulate with other ministries and governmental organizations in the three instances and non-governmental ones.

The ordinance also extends, for an indefinite period, the suspension of exhibitions, tournaments, fairs and other events with agglomeration of birds, in addition to the creation of birds outdoors, with access to paddocks without screens in the upper part, in establishments registered in the Ministry.

“The measure applies to any species of production, ornamental, passerine, wild or exotic birds in captivity and other birds bred for other purposes”, detailed the folder.