No products in the cart.
poultry farming
Avian flu: see the latest data and how to avoid damage to your livestock
24
Jul
Jul
Recent cases of avian flu reported across South America are raising economic concerns among Brazilian producers.
In addition to the poultry market in our country being free of the disease, there are also no records of contagion through the consumption of meat and eggs.
However, it is worth knowing its repercussions and prevention methods to keep yourself protected against risks and losses.
Below, check out the main updates on bird flu in Brazil, better understand what avian flu is, symptoms to be aware of and the best prevention practices for your farm. Follow along.
See the main updates on avian flu in Brazil
Between November 2022 and February of this year, contamination of birds with avian flu was confirmed in virtually all countries in South America. The only exceptions so far were Brazil and Paraguay.
However, in mid-2023, cases of the disease began to emerge around our country. Currently, there are 24 contaminations of wild birds throughout the national territory.
According to the data update, obtained through the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply (MAPA), made by CNN on June 5, there was confirmation of the first case on the North Coast of SP. The contaminated bird, of the terns species, was in Ubatuba.
In addition to São Paulo, there were occurrences in Rio Grande do Sul, Rio de Janeiro and Espírito Santo. Fortunately, even with the advance of the disease, poultry producers are still free from the damage caused by the flu.
This is because, according to MAPA itself, Brazil maintains its status as a country “free of avian influenza”. The registered cases are only among wild birds. Commercial creations remain free of contamination and the country is exporting its products for safe consumption.
Furthermore, the World Health Organization (WHO) considers that viral detections of avian influenza among humans are sporadic. The reason is that there is no clear evidence about person-to-person transmission so far.
In this way, the probabilities of an international spread of the pathology through humans is low. In addition to being an important factor in terms of public safety, it also favors the maintenance of consumption patterns by the market.
Understand better what avian flu is
As much as Brazil is free of avian influenza, the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply, in partnership with the state secretariats of agriculture, are encouraging preventive measures throughout the national territory, given the number of cases identified in South America.
Thus, it is important for every producer to be aware of what avian flu is, its symptoms, possible treatments and the main preventive methods to be implemented inside the farms.
Basically, it is a disease caused by the influenza virus. It is highly contagious and can affect both wild and domestic birds. Human beings can also become infected, but there are no records of person-to-person transmissions.
The main reservoirs of the avian influenza virus are wild waterfowl. They can infect domestic birds. This type of transmission occurs mainly through feces and respiratory tract.
Avian flu and its symptoms
Bird flu causes symptoms similar to the flu that affects humans. The main ones are breathing problems, which trigger coughing, sneezing and nasal discharge. See the main signs that infected birds can show:
- Breathing difficulties;
- Sneezing and/or coughing;
- Nasal and/or eye discharge;
- Lack of motor coordination;
- Possible diarrhea;
- In some cases, pneumonia may occur;
- Edema of the crest and dewlap;
- Bleeding in the muscles;
- Reduction in egg laying;
- Increased mortality rates.
Although Brazil is free of avian flu, the symptoms are always a point of attention among producers. If they are identified during breeding, it is necessary to immediately contact the Inspectorate or Office of Agricultural Defense in your municipality.
Avian flu treatments
There is still no treatment for birds with avian flu. Due to the high transmission power of the disease, infected animals or those that had contact with them need to be sacrificed, with proper disposal of carcasses and disinfection of the farms.
As for humans, there is a cure. Treatment consists of analgesics, antipyretics and, in some cases, antivirals. The earlier the diagnosis and treatment, the less severe the condition and the easier the treatment.
Learn how to prevent yourself from the damage caused by the bird flu
If avian flu symptoms are identified within the farm, prevention should focus on control measures. Your goal is to prevent the disease from spreading to other animals.
As we mentioned, it is necessary to sacrifice all sick birds and those that had contact with them. In addition, the producer must properly dispose of carcasses, disinfect the farm and restrict the transport of live birds.
That said, the most important thing is to adopt measures to prevent the chicken flu from even having a chance of reaching the domestic poultry flock. This involves the following actions:
- Implement strict biosecurity practices. They include restrictions on access to breeding areas, visitor control and wearing appropriate clothing;
- Disinfect the farm regularly. Proper cleaning of equipment, facilities and vehicles is critical to reducing the spread of pathogens;
- Maintain a quarantine period for new birds before introducing them to the farm. This makes it possible to detect any possible disease before it spreads;
- Watch for signs of illness in your birds. Any suspicion of avian flu must be reported immediately to health authorities;
- Reduce the presence of vectors such as wild birds, rodents and insects. Keep the farm isolated and adopt appropriate control measures to prevent its entry.
In addition, having good equipment for the farm is essential. With them, you promote the well-being of the birds, optimize handling routines and, consequently, favor the prevention of diseases.
Aware of the importance of preventing yourself against avian flu, you can rely on reliable and high-quality equipment to manage your poultry flock. Download the Robustec Poultry Catalog and explore our differentials.