Andina

Health emergency declared in Peru due to avian influenza

13:07 | Lima, Nov. 30.

The National Agricultural Health Service (SENASA) has declared a health emergency throughout the country for a period of 90 calendar days, in response to the detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in domestic or backyard birds.

The declaration was made official by Directorial Resolution No. 0180-2022-MIDAGRI-SENASA, published on Tuesday night in the Official Gazette El Peruano.

Article 1 of the Resolution declares a health emergency throughout the country due to the detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza in domestic birds (backyard birds), for the period of ninety (90) calendar days, which can be extended according to epidemiological indicators.

Likewise, it provides for the intensification —at the national level— of follow-up and control measures to prevent the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza, giving priority to the area of detection, in order to eliminate the focus and prevent its spread to other geographical areas across the country.

Health measures

To this end, the following health measures have been adopted. It should be noted that these measures do not exclude other actions provided for by the Directorate of Animal Health of the National Agricultural Health Service (SENASA):

Any natural or legal person is prohibited from:

- Moving live domestic birds and their risk products from focal, perifocal and surveillance areas for highly pathogenic avian influenza, without the authorization of the National Agricultural Health Service.

- Moving live domestic birds and their risk products, within the national territory, without the health certificate issued by the National Agricultural Health Service.

- Bringing birds to premises that are positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza.

- Visiting poultry premises when the National Agricultural Health Service has announced a health measure.

- Throwing dead birds into irrigation, drainage channels or rivers.

- Holding fairs, exhibitions, cock-related events, and other gatherings of poultry throughout the country.

- Handling, without personal protective equipment, birds with symptoms or suspicion of highly pathogenic avian influenza.

Other obligations

Moreover, every natural or legal person must comply with the quarantine requirement stipulated by SENASA at the affected premises; strengthen biosafety, surveillance measures in places where domestic birds are located; and install warning signs at the entrance to the premises that are positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza, among other obligations.

(END) CCH/RMB/MVB

Published: 11/30/2022