They announce measures to strengthen prevention in the commercial circuit against Avian Influenza
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The Minister of Economy, Sergio Massa, announced on Tuesday the creation of a program to compensate producers who may be affected by influenza or avian flu, within the framework of an investment of more than $1,000 million to reinforce the prevention of the disease in the commercial circuit, while clarifying that it does not affect the production or consumption process.
After revealing the Government’s decision to put the entire health system on “maximum alert” in relation to avian influenza, Massa pointed out that it is a “coordinated health barrier program that allows us to continue supplying the internal and external markets.”
The head of the economic portfolio made these statements at a press conference accompanied by the Secretary of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, Juan José Bahillo, the president of Senasa, Diana Guillen; and the vice president of Senasa, Rodolfo Acerbi; and the Chief of Staff of the SAGyP, Juan Manuel Fernández Arocena.
In turn, Bahillo specified that A budget reinforcement of $909 million was ordered to improve the presence and territorial control of avian influenza and financial compensation for the replacement of affected birds.
“A budget reinforcement has been decided to make an investment within the framework of the Avian Influenza Program, of 909 million pesos that includes laboratory equipment, laboratory supplies, mobility equipment, computer equipment, dissemination expenses, a reinforcement also in everything that is human resources to be able to have a better presence and territorial control”, he indicated.
In addition, the official announced economic compensation for the replacement of affected birds.
“This has to rebuild the economic situation of all that producer, neighbor, rural producer who sees their economy affected, Since for now the backyard birds or wild birds or birds for family consumption that have been detected, and that obviously are slaughtered, we are going to financially compensate the replacement of these birds, of these units, because we want to transmit tranquility”, highlighted the official.
Later, Guillen explained that “success lies in detecting the affected birds as quickly as possible so that we can proceed with the control measures that must be carried out when affected birds appear in a focus.”
“It is a hand-to-hand fight, we are trying to identify where it is and the truth is that the community and all the organizations that work with us and that have a territorial distribution are notifying us where dead animals appear or some strange symptoms in the animal”he pointed.
The head of Senasa highlighted: “We want to emphasize to the population that they should not take animals that are dead or that they see with strange symptoms, the disease is not spread if a sick animal is not handled.”
“Therefore, what they must do immediately is notify Senasa and Senasa will remove the animals with security measures and we will proceed to carry out the analyzes to confirm if it is influenza or another reason that has caused the death of these animals,” he concluded. .
At the end of the press conference, Massa raised the need to “work together to guarantee a better operation that allows us to face phenomena” such as one of the worst droughts, the mad cow in Brazil, avian flu, “extraordinary conditions at a time when the world needs Argentine production”.
The Ministry of Health issued recommendations on care measures
The Ministry of Health issued recommendations on care measures, after confirming cases of birds with avian influenza (AI) in the country, after identifying 14 people exposed to contact with infected birds, it was officially reported.
According to the Ministry, Sustained interhuman transmission of the virus has not yet been reported, and the risk of transmission continues to be considered low and is not transmitted through food intake, that is, the consumption of poultry meat, eggs and their by-products does not present a danger to the population.
Despite this, the Ministry recommends avoiding all contact with dead birds or those that appear to be sick, avoiding direct contact with wild birds and, if possible, only observing them from afar and not touching surfaces that could be contaminated with saliva, mucus or feces from wild or poultry birds.
In addition, it includes in care measures, frequent hand washing with soap and water or using alcohol-based disinfectants.
Meanwhile, in the case of observing dead domestic and/or wild birds or suspecting the disease of any of them with AI (nervous, respiratory, digestive problems, decreased egg production, water or food consumption) notify the National Agrifood Health and Quality Service (Senasa) attending any of its offices; through the digital application “Senasa Notifications”; entering the “Notify Senasa” section from the organization’s website; sending an email to [email protected]; or a whatsapp to 11-5700-5704.
Similarly, the Ministry clarified that there are currently no restrictions to travel to areas affected by avian influenza.
The national health portfolio is articulating the task with the Ministries of Tourism and Sports and the Environment and Sustainable Development, and the Secretary of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, to inform tourism agencies, national parks and all citizens about these prevention measures to avoid exposure to the AI virus.
So far, Senasa has received more than 98 notifications of suspicions in dead or symptomatic wild and backyard birds, among which positive cases were detected in Jujuy; jump; Cordoba and Santa Fe.
AI is a viral disease that affects both poultry and wild birds and can occasionally affect exposed people.
Wild birds, mainly migratory, are the natural host of the virus and are the main spreading factor across the continent.
Senasa confirmed three new positives for avian influenza and the total number of cases rises to eight
The National Agrifood Health and Quality Service (Senasa) reported on Tuesday three new cases of avian influenza (AI) H5 in backyard birds (chickens and other poultry) found dead in the province of Córdoba, in the towns of Villa del Rosario, Deheza and Baldisera.
Thus, the total number of confirmed cases adds up to eight.
Of the total, five were found in the province of Córdoba, one in Salta, one in Santa Fe and one in Jujuy.
Senasa specified that so far they have received just over a hundred notifications of suspected cases of avian influenza, while the number of confirmed cases amounts to eight.
The official unit indicated, in a statement, that its personnel are working in the region where the findings were made.
Also in Entre Ríos, on the border with Uruguay, strengthening controls and preventive measures due to the fact that the neighboring country reported the confirmation of a case in the Maldonado Department last week.
Senasa stressed that in the event of observing the presence or suspicion of clinical signs compatible with avian influenza in birds or the discovery of dead domestic and/or wild birds, notification must be made at any of its offices, through the application ” Senasa Notifications”, or by sending an email to [email protected].
Notification can also be made by entering the “Notify Senasa” section of the agency’s website or by sending a WhatsApp to 11-5700-5704.
