Brazil declares health emergency over bird flu

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: News Agencies
23 May 2023 22:31

The agriculture ministry noted that the emergency measures aim to prevent the virus from spreading to domesticated birds.

Municipal workers collect dead pelicans on Santa Maria beach in Lima, Peru 25 April 2023 (AP)

Brazilian authorities have declared a nationwide "animal health emergency" after eight wild birds tested positive for avian flu.

The emergency which was announced last night by the ministry of agriculture will persist for a duration of 180 days.

The agriculture ministry noted that the emergency measures aim to "prevent (the virus) from spreading to domesticated birds and commercial poultry operations, as well as protect animals and human health."

Agriculture Minister Carlos Favaro said it would also "mobilize resources" to take preventive measures to contain the virus.

The outbreak of bird flu had initially started in Canada and spread from there to the Americas.

Over 15 million chickens have been culled in Japan this season due to previous outbreaks; this is considered an all-time high for the country.

Bird flu has been detected in 2 out of 47 prefectures in Japan since October 28. Despite the fact that chicken egg prices are already higher due to inflation, the virus caused prices to go up even more.

Bird flu is a highly contagious virus that can cause the death of birds. Back in the fall of 2020 until the spring of 2021, Japan suffered its largest-ever avian influenza outbreak.

The virus affected more than a third of Japan's prefectures and almost 10 million chickens were culled in more than 50 farms.