In the state of Rio de Janeiro, a third case of infection of a migratory wild bird with avian influenza (H5N1), the so-called avian influenza, has been reported.

Thirty reis de bandos (Thalasseus acuflavidus) were discovered this Saturday (27) on the island of Ilha do Governador in northern Rio, according to state government information.

Birds infected with avian influenza belong to the species Thalasseus acuflavidus, known as Trinta-réis-bando and found in the northern zone of Rio de Janeiro Photo: Wikimedia/Cláudio Dias Timm – Photo: Wikimedia/Cláudio Dias Timm/ND

According to the statement, the Federal Agricultural Protection Laboratory (LFDA-SP) of the Department of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply (MAPA) analyzed material from poultry collected by a specialist on Tuesday (23).

The state government added that the Strategic Information Center for Health Surveillance (Cievs) of the State Secretariat of Health (SES-RJ) and the Rio de Janeiro Municipal Department of Health are monitoring three people who worked in the collection of the animal. “So far, none of them have flu symptoms, so samples for analysis were not collected,” the report says.

Also in May, two other wild birds of the same species were identified with the H5N1 virus. “They were found in São João da Barra, in the north of Fluminense, and in Cabo Frio, in the Lagos region,” the Rio de Janeiro administration added.

Actions

Monitoring and preventive measures to prevent the spread of the virus in the state, according to government agencies, have been strengthened. The Secretariat of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Supply (Seappa) released this week an “Contingency Plan that establishes control measures for the early detection and containment of the spread of avian influenza in domestic, wild and exotic birds.” In addition, since this is a zoonotic disease with pandemic potential, the document establishes the exchange of information between interested bodies.

“The Secretaries of Health and Agriculture have established a message flow to report any death of suspected birds, as well as people with suspected influenza syndrome and a history of contact with suspicious birds,” he added in a note.

According to technicians from SES and Seappa, there is no reason for the public to be concerned about the H5N1 epidemic as there is currently no direct person-to-person transmission. Technicians also stressed that the disease is not transmitted by eating poultry or eggs. “Infection of humans with the avian influenza virus occurs through direct contact with infected birds (dead or alive),” they said.

Prevention

Also in the statement, the government of Rio de Janeiro recalled that last Monday (22) the Ministry of Agriculture declared a zoo-sanitary emergency throughout the country. The intention is to prevent the spread of the disease to subsistence and commercial poultry production, and to preserve wildlife and human health.

On the other hand, the SES of Rio de Janeiro advised healthcare professionals to remain vigilant during screening and care for cases of influenza syndrome in patients who had contact with wild animals.

“When there is suspicion, sampling is recommended regardless of the day of onset of symptoms, including in the intensive care unit (ICU). Diagnosis by RT-PCR is considered the gold standard and should always be used to obtain laboratory results,” he said.

Anxiety

The State Department of Agriculture has drawn attention to the need to avoid direct public contact with dead birds, dead or not, domestic, wild/exotic and migratory, and aquatic mammals (of any species). “Any suspicion of an infected animal must be immediately reported to the Region’s Agricultural Protection Core or your municipality’s Environmental Surveillance Coordination,” he said.

poultry farmers

For poultry farmers, poultry farmers, small-scale and subsistence farming, the Ministry of Agriculture proposed to strengthen biosecurity measures on their farms.

“It is necessary to be careful, for example, to strictly prohibit visits to production facilities in any form; check the main fencing and proper screening of the barn; keep property access gates closed; disinfect vehicles and materials approaching farms; be careful with food and water; keep a record of people and vehicles, among other measures provided for by the current regulations,” he said.

In Santa Catarina

Last Tuesday (23), government agencies issued a high alert in Santa Catarina to prevent the disease.

The memo notes that “the introduction of avian influenza into commercial production systems could cause enormous damage throughout Santa Catarina and the national production chain.”

The folder emphasizes that in the event of any suspicion of bird flu, the Cidasc team must be notified immediately. You can contact us by calling 0800 643 9300.