The Veterinary Department can confirm that, following a major implementation of enhanced bio-security across the Islands, there have, to date, been no confirmed cases of avian influenza (bird flu) in the Falkland Islands wild or domestic birds.
Argentine authorities Tuesday suspended poultry exports after the first case of avian flu was confirmed in the province of Río Negro. The South American country's poultry exports last year amounted to US$ 383 million, with China buying 75% of them. With 2.5 million tons of poultry meat produced annually, 10% are sold abroad.
Argentina's health authorities have decided to up their biosecurity measures following the increase in the number of avian flu cases detected nationwide, particularly in provinces bordering Uruguay, but also in Córdoba and Salta.
Uruguay declared a sanitary emergency nationwide Wednesday following the detection of bird flu in a black-necked swan in the department (province) of Maldonado, some 180 kilometers from the border with Brazil.
Argentine authorities have declared a state of emergency after the first case of avian influenza was confirmed in wild birds in the northern province of Jujuy bordering Bolivia.
Peruvian health authorities have launched a health alert for 180 days after three cases of the highly contagious H5N1 avian influenza were detected in pelicans, it was announced Thursday in Lima.
As we have learnt Avian Influenza is the current bird/poultry disease to look out for. Just to recap: Avian Influenza is a viral disease of birds (very seldom also humans), that is mainly transmitted via direct contact and/or droppings of infected birds. The symptoms can range from flu type symptoms (sneezing, respiratory distress) and decrease in the number of eggs laid, all the way to sudden death.
The Falkland Islands government and Falklands Conservation have announced a series of precautionary measures in the event of an outbreak of Avian influenza that has spread in European countries.
Chinese authorities Tuesday reported the first case in humans of H3N8 Avian influenza, although health specialists explained the risk of a large-scale epidemic was low.
British health authorities Friday reported what seems to be the first fatal case in humans of the H5N1 variant of bird flu, which rarely infects humans, but when it does, it has a mortality rate of about 60%.