Uruguay's Ministry of Livestock, Agriculture and Fisheries (MGAP) declared a state of health alert due to an outbreak of avian influenza in Tres Isletas, in the Argentine province of Chaco, it was reported Tuesday in Montevideo. The measure seeks to protect public health and national poultry production as the malady poses risks to biodiversity, the poultry sector, and public health. It can cause sudden bird mortality, respiratory and neurological symptoms, hemorrhages, and diarrhea, it was also explained.
In this scenario, Uruguayan authorities issued a series of recommendations such as keeping domestic poultry in protected houses, maintaining cleanliness, and avoiding contact between domestic and wild birds, in addition to implementing changes of clothing and footwear when entering poultry houses. The citizenry was also advised to use disinfectants, and restrict access to poultry establishments, and monitor bird mortality to report unusual increases. After Argentina's National Service for Health and Food Quality (Senasa) confirmed avian flu in chickens, turkeys, and ducks in Tres Isletas, biosecurity measures have been implemented to prevent the spread of the virus, which is often linked to wild birds during migration.
The consumption of poultry meat and eggs remains safe and poses no public health risk. Given Tres Isleta's proximity to the Uruguayan border, the General Directorate of Livestock Services issued a statement announcing that a state of sanitary alert is declar.