The National Health and Food Quality Service (SENASA) has reported the first detection in the country of Avian Influenza (AI) H5 in wild birds in the Pozuelos Lagoon, northwest of the province of Jujuy , near the border with Bolivia.

Currently, the disease is not transmitted to humans through the consumption of poultry meat and its by-products. There is therefore no danger in consuming these foods. In addition, it should be noted that the risk of transmission to humans is low.

Avian influenza (AI) is a viral disease that affects both poultry and wild birds, and can occasionally affect exposed people, being caused by multiple subtypes (H5N1, H5N3, H5N8, etc.) including genetic characteristics are changing rapidly.

People can contract bird flu mainly through direct contact with infected animals (alive or dead) or with their contaminated environment. Transmission of the virus to humans occurs when the secretions or feces of infected birds are inhaled or the virus enters the mouth, nose or eyes. In turn, wild waterfowl are an important reservoir of influenza A viruses, and poultry populations can become infected through contact with wild birds.

To date, no sustained human-to-human transmission of avian influenza A(H5N8), A(H5N2) or A(H5N1) viruses has been reported, either in the Region of the Americas or in the world. In 19 years, from 2003 to 2022, 868 cases of bird flu in humans have been reported worldwide.

Health Access Secretary Sandra Tirado highlighted the ongoing joint work they have developed with the Agriculture Secretary, SENASA, the Ministry of Security and the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development . In this context, the official pointed out that contacts have also already been made with the health teams of all the provinces and that an epidemiological bulletin has been shared to alert on suspicious or compatible conditions with this disease.

On the other hand, Tirado explained that the probability of transmission of the virus from a sick bird to a human is very low and also reassured the population on the consumption of poultry meat or its derivative products. “Digestive transmission of this type of flu has not been recorded so far,” he said.

Finally, the health access secretary spoke about the most important measures to take into account in the event of a communicable disease, such as frequent hand washing. “You should also consider cooking food properly and consulting a doctor before any symptoms appear if you have had a history of direct contact with birds,” he said.

“The confirmation puts us on alert, but it does not surprise us because we have already been working and following the file closely for some time. We want to bring peace of mind, we will reinforce all this prevention and field work, what we have already done with the health and control bodies, and all the areas concerned, to strengthen the borders and the controls on the territory, ”he said, in Therefore, the Secretary of Agriculture , Livestock and National Fisheries, Juan José Bahillo.

“It is our duty to make the health situation transparent, but above all to bring peace of mind to the entire population,” the official said. During the press conference, which was also attended by the president of Senasa, Diana Guillén; the Secretary for Security and Criminal Policy of the Ministry of National Security, Mercedes La Gioiosa; and National Parks representatives, it was emphasized that when a symptom or a dead bird is detected, it is essential to avoid contact and promptly communicate with Senasa.

According to the World Organization for Animal Health (WHO), the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) epidemic season occurs with around 290 outbreaks reported in poultry and around 140 in wild birds between December 2, 2022 and December 5. January 2023, mainly in European countries and also in the Americas, Asia and Africa region.

Many countries in these regions are experiencing a higher number of outbreaks compared to the cases recorded the previous year during the same period. As of February 6, 2023, agricultural authorities in Canada, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, United States, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Bolivia and Uruguay have detected outbreaks of HPAI A(H5N1) virus in poultry, poultry farms and/or wild animals.

During the same period, two human infections caused by avian influenza A(H5) were reported. The first was in the United States, where the A(H5N1) subtype was identified and notified on April 29, 2022; while the second in Ecuador, which was notified on January 9, 2023.

From the Nation’s Ministry of Health, the following care measures are recommended:

• Frequent hand washing with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizers

• Avoid direct contact with wild birds and, if possible, observe them only from a distance.

• Avoid unprotected contact with poultry that appears sick or dead.

• Compared to birds in large cities (sparrows, pigeons) the risk is considered to be very low since these birds have not shown themselves to be very sensitive to the virus to date.

• If a sick or dead bird is discovered, avoid contact and notify the health authorities of the National Service for Health and Food Quality (SENASA).

• Do not touch surfaces that may be contaminated with saliva, mucus or faeces from wild birds or poultry.

• Currently, there are no restrictions on travel to areas affected by avian flu. However, people traveling to areas with avian flu epidemics are recommended to take the necessary preventive measures to avoid the risk of contracting the disease.

The epidemiological communication published on February 10, 2023 is shared: https://bancos.salud.gob.ar/recurso/situacion-de-influenza-aviar-de-alta-patogenicidad-en-la-region

If dead birds or birds with locomotion difficulties are detected, notify SENASA.

Notification channels:

• Local office of Senasa
• “Senasa Notifications” app
• [email protected]• “Notify Senasa” section at https://www.argentina.gob.ar/senasa
• Telephone 11 5700 5704