The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) said that over the past 12 months there has been an “unprecedented situation” in Latin America and the Caribbean, where 16 countries confirmed cases of bird flu, resulting in the deaths or victims of 12.5 million Humans introduced birds and an “unprecedented impact on around 30,000 marine mammals and wild birds.”
Andrés González, responsible for sustainable livestock production, animal health and biodiversity in Latin America and the Caribbean, said: “What we have seen in the last 12 months has been an unprecedented situation for Latin America and the Caribbean.”
“The virus has evolved due to its ability to interact with populations of migratory birds,” adding that the disease “spread along its normal routes from the north to the south of the continent, thus spreading to domestic birds, particularly on farms with low numbers of birds Infection rates.” Biosecurity.” “, exactly.
In this context, two people on the continent were infected with the virus – one in Ecuador and one in Chile – and 12.5 million birds died or were sacrificed “to contain the spread in the region”.
“Despite the efforts of the official veterinary services of each country, it has been virtually impossible to prevent the introduction,” he said, adding: “As this is a transboundary disease, it must be addressed with a regional approach.”
The official stressed that “ensuring the health and well-being of animals, and therefore the food security of people, is critical.”
Currently, Latin America and the Caribbean produce around 20% of the poultry meat consumed worldwide and 10% of the eggs.
Although science has proven that the bird flu virus is not transmitted to humans through consumption (it must always be well cooked), “it is no less true that it has a drastic impact on the poultry population, which is why it directly focuses on efforts to ensure food security and contribute to eliminating hunger in the region, in addition to destroying livelihoods,” the FAO official noted.
The UN agency called for cooperation because “this is the only way to face this enormous global challenge” and stressed that all “efforts were effectively aimed at interpreting the epidemiological phenomenon of the disease and biosecurity, surveillance and control procedures to standardize”. and to improve technical possibilities”.