RS declares a state of emergency in animal health for avian flu and starts surveys

Rio Grande do Sul declared an emergency in animal health to control high pathogenicity (H5N1) avianza influenza in municipalities near the radius of the focus. The decision occurs after confirmation of the disease in the state.

The gaucho government also started on Saturday actions to contain the focus of aviary flu and survey in 94 subsistence properties near the site of confirmation of the disease. The information is from the gaucho government portal.

On Friday, the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (Mapa) confirmed the focus on a poultry breeding farm in Montenegro, and another in wild birds at the Sapucaia do Sul zoo.

Read more: Avian flu in a commercial farm in RS lights alert: Understand risks and measures

The emergency measure downloaded by RS is valid for 60 days, according to a decree published on Saturday, 17, in the State Official Gazette. With the decision, the gaucho government expects a faster response to combat avian influenza outbreaks in the region.

The state of emergency is valid in the municipalities of Triunfo, Santana Chapel, Nova Santa Rita, Montenegro, Esteio, Canoas, Gravataí, Sapucaia do Sul, Sao Leopoldo, Cachoeirinha, Novo Hamburgo and Gate.

Regarding the surveys, the Gaucho government said that, on Saturday, the official veterinary service of Rio Grande do Sul (SVO-RS) inspected 94 subsistence properties located within the radius of the focus, 27 in the perifocal area (three kilometers) and 67 in the area and surveillance (ten kilometers), plus a bournization farm-the only in the surveillance area.

The veterinarians team also installed five sanitary barriers, operating 24 hours. Three within three kilometers – one blockade, and two more within ten kilometers.