#17,455
As the graphic above illustrates, the flyways of the Americas are primarily (but not exclusively) north-south conduits for migratory birds, with the Pacific Americas flyway extending more than 15,000 km from Alaska to Patagonia.
Although primarily north-south conduits, these migratory flyways overlap enough to allow for east-west transmission of avian viruses as well.
While H5N1 managed to travel from Colombia to Chile in a matter of a couple of months (Oct-Dec), it has taken more than 6 months for it to be detected in Brazil. There are large swaths of interior South America, however, where surveillance and reporting are rare, making it likely the virus has been in Brazil for some time.
Brazil is often ranked as the world's 2nd or 3rd largest poultry producer in the world, and the world's largest exporter of poultry products, making the arrival of HPAI H5N1 a major concern.
The (translated) official announcement from Brazil's MOA (Mapa) - and the official WAHIS notification- follow:
Brazil registers first cases of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in wild birds, Map alerts for care
Notification does not affect Brazil's status as an IAAP-free country and international trade must be maintained
Updated on 5/15/2023 9:25 pm
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, in Espírito Santo
- Two seabirds of the species Thalasseus acuflavidus (popular name Trinta-réis-de-bando) 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. On Monday, the disease was detected in a third bird of the same species.
- 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 (OMSA), which confirmed that it was Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (IAAP) 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 (HCAI) 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 IAAP 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
The official WAHIS notification follows:
HPAI H5's world tour continues with no sign of stopping.
