Brazil confirms first ever avian flu cases in wild birds: What this means | World News - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Brazil confirms first ever avian flu cases in wild birds: What this means

Reuters |
May 16, 2023 06:31 AM IST

Avian Flu: The avian influenza virus can kill entire flocks of birds and cause losses for the farming sector.

Brazil, the world's top chicken exporter, has for the first time confirmed Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) cases but only in wild birds, the Agriculture Ministry said on Monday.

Avian Flu: The avian flu season traditionally begins each October as migratory birds shed infected droppings or saliva while leaving cool areas of the Northern Hemisphere.(AP)
Avian Flu: The avian flu season traditionally begins each October as migratory birds shed infected droppings or saliva while leaving cool areas of the Northern Hemisphere.(AP)

Two cases were detected in wild birds and should not trigger a ban on imports of Brazilian poultry products as per guidelines from the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH), according to the Brazilian government.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

The avian influenza virus can kill entire flocks of birds and cause losses for the farming sector. Brazil's chicken exports rose by 27% last year to $9.76 billion as other countries reeled from a global outbreak of the virus, yet the South American country had never registered a case until now.

The Brazilian government confirmed the detection of H5N1 subtype of the influenza virus in two marine birds, of the Thalasseus acuflavidus species, on the coast of Brazil's southeastern state of Espirito Santo.

Brazil's main poultry producing states are in the far south and center-west. However, Espirito Santo is Brazil's third largest egg producing state, according to meat lobby ABPA. It does not export eggs but sells them in the domestic market.

Epidemiological surveillance services will be intensified to detect potential cases in wild and commercial animals in the area close to where the cases were confirmed, a government source said.

The agriculture ministry said that because the cases were detected in wild animals, Brazil's status "as a country free of HPAI" was not affected.

Miguel Gularte, CEO of Brazil-based BRF, the world's largest chicken exporting company, told a press conference he was not surprised by the case of highly pathogenic avian influenza, adding the company was prepared for any scenario.

The executive reiterated WOAH's recommendations that no members of that organization would impose import bans because of cases detected in wild animals.

Read more: Rudy Giuliani, Trump's ex-personal lawyer, sued for alleged sexual assault

BRF's Gularte also noted the company relies on Brazil’s "robust" animal health services to prevent and contain any potential threats to industrial poultry farms.

The main importers of Brazil's chicken products in April included China, Japan, South Africa and Saudi Arabia.

China has banned imports of poultry from nearly 40 U.S. states due to outbreaks of bird flu on commercial poultry farms.

Brazil's neighbor Argentina suspended its poultry exports in late February after recording the first case of bird flu in its poultry industry in southern Rio Negro province but resumed exports from bird flu free areas in late March.

A record number of chicken, turkeys and other birds have died in outbreaks in the U.S., Europe and Britain, and the virus is spreading in South America, Africa, and Asia.

Losses of poultry flocks have contributed to record high prices for eggs and turkey meat in some places.

While humans can contract H5N1, cases remain very rare, and global health officials have said the risk to humans is low.

Unlock a world of Benefits with HT! From insightful newsletters to real-time news alerts and a personalized news feed – it's all here, just a click away! - Login Now!

Get Latest World News along with Latest News from India at Hindustan Times.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Friday, March 29, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On