New round of bird flu outbreak in Mexico

Epidemiological surveillance results from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs show that technical personnel from the National Agricultural Food Hygiene Safety and Quality Service Center discovered the first case of highly pathogenic avian influenza AH5 this season in a production unit. Poultry farm in Cajeme, Sonora.

When the official laboratory in Hermosillo, Sonora reported a positive result for highly pathogenic H5 avian influenza by RT-PCR test, the technical staff of the United States-Mexico Commission for the Prevention of Foot-and-Mouth and Other Animal Diseases (CPA of Senasica ) are mobilized to the area with the aim of diagnosing the situation and taking necessary epidemic prevention measures to curb the spread of the virus.

Among the first measures taken, the General Directorate of Animal Health (DGSA) announced an internal quarantine of affected farms and the state of Sonora, which means that it will be necessary to provide PCR tests for poultry transferred from the entity’s poultry production units (UPA) Prove that the disease does not exist.

Likewise, the DGSA reports that necessary tests are currently underway at the Senasica laboratory to obtain more data on the virus affecting this UPA, to which hens previously vaccinated with the previous year’s immunogen will be exposed.

Once the biologic is proven to be effective in protecting birds against this year’s entry of the virus strain, Senasica will authorize the strategic use of the vaccine, which will begin in the state of Sonora.

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.

Likewise, poultry from areas with high poultry production can be vaccinated at the request of producers who wish to do so, for which they must prove through laboratory studies that their poultry are free of the virus and have access to the services of a veterinarian. Licensed by Senasica.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development also reported that epidemiological surveillance operations will continue and, if necessary, the national animal health emergency unit will be activated to strengthen control operations and eliminate highly pathogenic avian influenza A, as appropriate. , H5N1 subtype, and preventing its spread across the country.

The affected production unit had 90,000 laying hens spread across six houses, one of which contained 15,000 chickens that were culled at 110 weeks of age and were considered end-of-life hens.

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 and must be isolated or, where appropriate, sanitized; excreta is heat treated above 56°C; facilities, materials and equipment are regularly cleaned and disinfected; consider Set up a sanitary vacuum period between each production cycle and implement procedures to control wildlife and eliminate pests, such as placing bird nets.