Mexico reports first case of highly pathogenic AH5 avian influenza

this Secretariat of Agriculture and Rural Development (Sadr) The first case was reported this weekend Avian Influenza Highly pathogenic Ah 5 Poultry production units this season Cayem (Sonora).

The discovery was made by technicians from the company. National Agricultural Products Health, Safety and Quality Service (Senasica) Laboratory in Hermosillo, Sonora.

The affected farms have 90,000 laying hens, of which 15,000 hens deemed to have reached the end of their production cycle have been culled.

The vaccination strategy is likely to begin in early November, in areas with high animal health risks and on farms specializing in hens and breeding hens, as they are vital to maintaining chicken and egg production across the country.

Therefore, Senasica technical staff of the Mexican-American Commission for the Prevention of Foot-and-Mouth and Other Animal Diseases (CPA) were mobilized to the area with the aim of diagnosing the situation and taking measures. to curb the spread of the virus.

Sadr said that among the first measures taken, the General Directorate of Animal Health (DGSA) announced an internal quarantine of the affected farms and the state of Sonora, which meant mobilizing poultry production units (UPAs) for a complete quarantine. ) is required to provide PCR evidence to prove the absence of the disease.

In addition, the DGSA reports that the Senasica laboratory is conducting necessary tests to obtain more data on the virus affecting the farm, to which hens previously vaccinated with the previous year’s immunogen will be exposed.

Senasica will authorize the biologic vaccine for strategic use in the state of Sonora once it is proven that it is effective in protecting birds against the virus strains that entered this year.

Birds in areas with high poultry production can also be vaccinated at the request of producers who wish to do so, for which they must prove through laboratory studies that their birds are free of the virus and have the services of a responsible veterinarian authorized by the state. Senasica.

The Ministry of Agriculture also reported that epidemiological surveillance operations are continuing and, if necessary, the national animal health emergency unit will be activated to strengthen control operations and, where appropriate, eradicate highly pathogenic avian influenza A (H5N1) subtype. and prevent its spread across the country.

Officials discovered during an on-site investigation that there was an irrigation canal 40 meters away from the farm and that there were a large number of migratory birds, so extreme biosecurity measures needed to be taken to avoid new infections.

Senasica recalled that the main preventive measures were strict biosecurity measures on poultry farms, while vaccination was a tool to control the virus. He therefore urged producers to step up on-farm action to protect the country’s poultry production.

The agency noted the need to establish health protocols for those entering the UPA, clean and disinfect all vehicles; use sanitary mats at the main entrance and in each chicken house, and inspect flocks daily to identify birds with suggestive clinical signs. Only.

It is also important that sick or dead birds are not moved, they must be quarantined or sanitized where appropriate, and procedures for controlling wildlife and eliminating pests must be implemented.

The Department of Agriculture reiterated its call for immediate reporting of any suspected cases of the virus detected on its farms.