Goiás confirms 1st case of bird flu in backyard chickens

The Goiás Agricultural Defense Agency (Agrodefesa) confirmed the detection of the first outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HIAAI) in Goiás . The case was recorded in subsistence birds (backyard) in the municipality of Santo Antônio da Barra, in the southwest region of the state.

In a statement, Agrodefesa reported that the notification of the suspicion was made to the agency last Monday (9), including reports of deaths of approximately 100 chickens that showed signs such as drooping wings, nasal secretion, respiratory difficulty, apathy, diarrhea and facial edema.

“As soon as it was notified, Agrodefesa acted immediately, sending technical teams within 12 hours to close off the properties and collect samples, strictly following the protocols of the National Poultry Health Program,” the statement highlighted.

The analyses were carried out by the Federal Laboratory of Agricultural Defense of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock. After confirmation, Agrodefesa teams were mobilized and remain in the region with sanitary control actions, epidemiological investigation and reinforcement of guidelines to the population.

Emergency actions include surveillance within a 10-kilometer radius around the outbreak, with intensive monitoring of the movement of birds, eggs and poultry materials, restriction of movements and reinforcement of sanitary barriers, temporary suspension of fairs and exhibitions with live birds in the affected regions and health education actions.

“The case should not impact meat and egg exports, as it does not involve commercial poultry. It is also important to emphasize that avian influenza does not pose a risk to human health when there is no direct contact with sick birds and that the consumption of poultry meat and eggs remains safe for the population,” the note highlighted.

In the statement, Agrodefesa highlighted that another possible outbreak of the disease, which had also been reported on the 9th in the city of Montes Claros de Goiás, tested negative for avian influenza.

The agency's guidance is that producers, breeders and the general population should immediately report any sudden death or signs of disease in birds via WhatsApp number (62) 98164-1128.