The highly pathogenic H7N3 bird flu virus outbreak in western Mexico has killed at least 870,000 birds since its appearance in June through a combination of direct contact and culling to prevent the virus' spread, according to reports, and has put 79 farms at risk, among them 60 commercial layer farms, 11 breeder farms and 8 broiler farms.
The immediate at-risk bird population is 14.4 million, according to the World Organisation for Animal Health, and the buffer zone has been extended to 40 km around the index outbreak which includes 161 poultry farms with a population of 25.8 million of birds. Control measures on birds and their products movements have been strengthened in the quarantine area and eight check points have been established with the support of 26 health technicians with 9 vehicles that monitor the quarantine zone.
Epidemiological surveillance activities continue in the outbreaks, around the outbreaks and in the buffer zone, said officials. As a measure to reduce the risk, sampling will be carried out in neighboring states and in poultry farms at risk outside the buffer zone.
