A new report from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) includes information on two new outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in commercial poultry in Peru.
One of the affected premises is a fattening duck farm in Chancay, while the other is a laying hen operation in Grocio Prado.
Animal health authorities were notified of the Grocio Prado outbreak after an increase in mortalities was discovered. In the flock, there were 360 dead birds, 30 sick birds and 6,110 birds that appeared to be healthy. The sick birds showed symptoms such as weakness, prostration, cyanosis and eyelid edema.
Upon testing, hens in the flock tested positive for HPAI. The surviving 6,140 birds were euthanized and disposed of. Other control measures put in place included the official disposal of byproducts and waste, zoning and disinfection.
Notice was given regarding the farm in Chancay after symptoms were being exhibited by ducks there. The sick birds were showing signs of blindness, prostration, opisthotonos, diarrhea and dyspnea. Of the 4,000 birds present in the flock, 500 had died. Tests showed the presence of HPAI, and the remaining 3,500 birds were euthanized.
Carcasses, byproducts and waste were officially disposed of, and zoning and disinfestation and disinfection activities took place.
With these new outbreaks, WOAH has reported the loss of 253,404 head of poultry in Peru. The virus has also been confirmed in wild birds, as well as a lioness in a zoo.
The first case of HPAI in Peru was reported in November 2022.
Elsewhere in South America
WOAH has also issued new reports for the HPAI situations in Brazil, Argentina and Ururguay. However, none of these new infections involved poultry.
In Brazil, newly reported cases involve four royal terns, two Cabot’s terns, one South American tern and one manx shearwater.
The new infections in Argentina and Uruguay have all involved sea lions. In Argentina, 108 of the animals have died as a result of HPAI infection, while Uruguay has lost three.
