Bird flu virus hits poultry farms in Mexico

Mexico has confirmed an outbreak of bird flu across seven farms in the state of Guanajuato, caused by a strain of H7N3 virus.

The outbreak was confirmed after the National Health, Safety and Quality authority SENASICA identified the presence of H7N3 avian influenza virus at seven farms belonging to Industrias Bachoco, Mexico’s leading chicken producer.

All of the affected farms are located in the same region within Guanajuato.

Mexico’s agricultural agency Secretariat of Agriculture, Livestock, Rural Development, Fisheries and Food (SAGARPA) noted that about 582,000 chickens across the farms have been exposed to the bird flu virus.

SAGARPA has supplied more than one million doses of the avian flu vaccine to limit the spread of the flu to surrounding farms.

In addition, poultry farms in the surrounding areas have been asked to strengthen biosafety levels and notify authorities if an outbreak is identified.

SENASICA noted that this influenza does not present any risk to humans, neither by direct contact nor from the consumption of poultry products, and added that the supply of poultry products in the Mexican market is not at risk.

Mexico has about 137 million egg-laying chickens in production, of which 2.4% are in Guanajuato.

Mexico was previously hit by the bird flu virus in 2012, when an outbreak in the state of Jalisco led to the culling of millions of chickens, which in turn resulted in a sharp rise in egg and chicken prices.

Bird flu, also known as avian influenza, is an infectious viral disease among birds and it can lead to potential pandemic concerns as it can infect poultry, affecting international trade.

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Image: Mexico has about 137 million egg-laying chickens in production, of which 2.4% are in Guanajuato state. Photo courtesy of Patrizio Martorana.