The National Agrifood Health and Quality Service (Senasa) confirmed the first positive case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5 in poultry in the province of Río Negro.
Given this circumstance, the country
temporarily loses its disease-free status
and
self-suspended the export of poultry products
in compliance with international standards.
The positive case came from a broiler chicken establishment located in the town of Mainque, province of Río Negro, south of the Patagonian zoophytosanitary barrier, in an area of low poultry density.
As highlighted by the Government,
poultry production for consumption in the country will continue to develop normally
since HPAI is not transmitted by the consumption of chicken meat and eggs.
Likewise, those refrigerators that export, will be able to commercialize their products in the internal market.
Senasa decided to carry out the corresponding containment measures, established in the Avian Influenza Contingency Manual, in order to avoid the spread of the disease in other establishments that produce birds destined for the commercial circuit.
Meeting between Massa and government officials
At the same time, following international protocols, the Senasa authorities will officially communicate the news to the World Organization for Animal Health (WHO).
In this way, of the 177 notifications analyzed by the Senasa Laboratory, to date,
there are 25 confirmed cases
in wild birds (3), backyard (21) and commercial sector (1) distributed as follows: 13 in Córdoba, 4 in Buenos Aires, 2 in Río Negro, 2 in Santa Fe, 1 in Jujuy, 1 in Neuquén, 1 in San Luis and 1 in Salta.
Recently, it became known that Japan decided to close the Argentine market for poultry products after learning of the first cases of bird flu in the country.
Production and export
In 2022, 15,291 million eggs were produced in Argentina, 8.46% more than in 2021, with a layer park of 51 million birds.
Of the total produced,
97% went to internal consumption, and the remaining 3% went to the external market.
Regarding poultry meat, 2.5 million tons are produced annually.
And
10% of the total is exported
,
In total, the poultry chain (meat and eggs) exported in 2022 for US$ 420 million.
The main market was China,
which represents 41% of all Argentine shipments, according to a report by the Fundación Agropecuaria para el Desarrollo de Argentina (FADA).
The European Union follows.