A zoosanitary alert against the risk of introduction into the country of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (IAAP), was issued by the Ministry of Agricultural Development (MIDA), through the National Directorate of Animal Health.
Panama issued this alert after Canada and the United States reported the existence of cases of Avian Influenza in their territories. The disease also affects more than 60 countries around the world.
The alert is issued through resolution No. ADM-DSA-028-2022 and prohibits imports of live birds and any product or by-product or genetic material of poultry origin, from countries or regions affected by HPAI.
According to Concepción Santos Sanjur, national director of Animal Health of MIDA. Panama, as a transit country, has a high risk of introduction, establishment and spread of this disease, which has implications for human health due to its zoonotic capacity.
In addition, this evil generates negative socioeconomic effects for the national poultry industry, food self-sufficiency and national security, if urgent and effective sanitary measures are not taken.
The measure will be temporary, since once the animal health status of the affected countries is reestablished by the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) and Panama will respect the technical criteria of region and zones free of the disease that it has agreed with some countries.
