Avian flu in Córdoba: contagion in poultry and wild birds is concerned

Córdoba already accumulates two cases of bird flu, but the first of them in poultry. The Environmental Police detected this Saturday two turkeys killed by the disease in a rural house in Alejo Ledesma. These birds were loose, so some chickens are in quarantine.

Controls are being carried out in different sectors of the discovery area to prevent the spread of the disease. Similarly, police authorities reported that the case may have repercussions in the peri-urban area.

The first case of bird flu in the province was identified last Friday with wild birds. Two dead ducks were detected in Laguna las Mojarras in the department of General San Martín.

“Surely other cases will appear, since backyard birds have contact with wild birds. In Córdoba, no infections have yet been identified in poultry farms. If it happens, a significant number of chickens will be slaughtered. To avoid this, there is a chamber of agricultural producers that are following all of Senasa’s protocols,” said Adrian Rinauldo, head of the Province’s Environmental Police.

Avian influenza is a disease with a high impact on poultry production that affects both poultry (hens, roosters, chickens, ducks, turkeys and geese) as well as wild and domestic birds, and sometimes people.

At the moment, no cases of sustained human transmission from person to person have been reported. Likewise, the national body declared a health emergency throughout the Argentine territory.

“The consumption of meat and eggs is not a source of contagion. What can cause infection is contact with the dead or alive animal and its fluids. City birds, such as pigeons or sparrows, have low chances of getting sick,” Rinauldo said.

The virus produces symptoms for 24 to 48 hours. The infected bird presents problems in its central nervous system, loses its balance and spins in circles; they decrease their feeding, they make strange movements with their necks and then they die.

Likewise, the head of the environmental police remarked that if people identify a bird in poor condition or injured, it is essential not to touch it, but to call the corresponding authorities to carry out the rescue with the established safeguards.

The National Ministry of Health recommends frequent hand washing with soap and water; avoid direct contact with wild birds; and use protection when handling poultry, especially if they are sick.

From Senasa they indicated that in the event of any dead bird, the surveillance protocol must be activated regardless of the species. To do this, you must contact that government entity.

What to do in the event of a possible contagion of avian flu

In case of observing the presence or suspicion of clinical signs compatible with influenza in birds or the discovery of dead domestic and/or wild birds, any person can notify Senasa, through the following channels: at the local office of the entity; through the “Senasa Notifications” app available in the Play Store; by sending an email to [e-mail] and via the web in the “Notify Senasa” section or by calling 11-5700-5704.

Environmental Police also receives complaints anonymously by phone [phone], WhatsApp [phone], email [e-mail], through Ciudadano Digital or via the web.