“It is resolved to declare a health emergency throughout the national territory in the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza in domestic birds (backyard birds), for a period of ninety days,” said a decree published in the official gazette.
The outbreaks of contagion were confirmed on farms located in Lambayeque (north) and Lima.
“The main risk that exists is the transmission itself between bird and bird. The virus is highly deadly, it is our concern,” the head of Senasa, Miguel Quevedo, told the press.
Senasa issued a 180-day health alert last Thursday after confirming three cases of highly contagious H5N1 avian influenza in pelicans.
According to the scientist’s hypothesis, the disease is being transmitted from “wild birds that come from North America” and reach Patagonia. “We want to prevent the virus from settling in the country,” he said.
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According to the National Forestry and Wildlife Service (Serfor), 13,869 seabirds, mostly pelicans (10,257), died from H5N1 avian influenza in part of the coast and protected natural areas of Piura (border with Ecuador). Lambayeque, La Libertad, Ancash, Ica, Moquegua, Tacna and Lima in recent weeks.
On the shores of La Encantada and Venecia beaches, south of Lima, dozens of pelicans, seagulls and boobies were found dead on Wednesday.
Senasa brigades with biosecurity teams manually collect the birds and put them in black plastic bags to bury them later.
“We have found many dead birds after going several kilometers along the beaches,” a member of the brigade told AFP, who did not want to be identified.
The Serfor specialist Walter Silva indicated that the first outbreak of avian influenza in the American continent occurred in Canada last year and that in January 2022 the virus was detected in the United States, affecting poultry production.
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has expressed its concern and issued an alert that with the seasonal migration of birds, the disease could reach Central and South America, according to Silva.
Avian influenza is a disease that has no cure or treatment, it causes high mortality in wild and domestic birds such as ducks, chickens, chickens, turkeys, among others.
The entrance Peru declares a health emergency due to avian influenza was first published on newspaper TODAY.
