Press Release – Belize Press Office – Belmopan, 29th June, 2012
Mexico reports highly pathogenic Avian Influenza; Belize on Nationlal Alert
The Belize Agricultural Health Authority has placed a national poultry health alert following Mexico officially reporting a major outbreak of highly pathogenic H7N3 Avian Influenza in three commercial poultry layer farms in the central Mexican state of Jalisco. Precautionary measures are being taken and border controls along the Belize/Mexico border are being strengthened. Poultry farmers, especially those in border areas, are being asked to step up their biosecurity measures. Other countries in the region, Guatemala in particular, have also called national alerts and are strengthening their surveillance and diagnostic programmes for Avian Influenza.
Poultry products are safe for human consumption. The disease rarely affects humans and requires direct contact with sick birds. In humans, the disease causes conjunctivitis and mild flu symptoms.
The outbreak in Mexico started on the 13th June 2012. In total, over one million birds are believed to be susceptible across the three farms and over 200,000 have already died from the outbreak. A further 60,000 have been destroyed. The sick birds showed signs of weakness, poor alertness, difficulty in breathing, were lying on their side and had drooping wings prior to death. Control measures being applied in Mexico include: movement controls on poultry and poultry products; official sampling in commercial poultry farms, backyard poultry farms, and poultry markets; assessment of biosecurity and good livestock practices; and depopulation of affected farms.
This outbreak in Mexico is considered a threat to Belize and the region due to a previous major outbreak in Mexico (in the period 1993 – 1996) where the disease became endemic and also spilled over into Guatemala and El Salvador. OIRSA is working with the veterinary services of its member countries to harmonize preparedness and response measures in the face of this outbreak. The Belizean public is requested to assist our increased surveillance by not importing poultry products and reporting any importation to the authorities.
Further information can be obtained from any BAHA Veterinary Officer at 824-4899/4872 or 302-1388 and from the Belize Poultry Association at 824-3221.
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