In the Dominican Republic, outbreaks of avian influenza were reported in the localities of Corozo and Quebrada Honda, in the province of Espaillat.
The Dominican Ministry of Agriculture reported that the outbreak of the disease was caused by the A H5N2 virus, and that it has initiated actions to neutralize the virus's advance in the country.
The self-declaration of the bird flu in Peten could be extended to other departments, fostering new investments and the possibility of exporting to Nicaragua, Venezuela and the Caribbean.
After 16 years of not being able to export eggs, Petén is the first department to achieve self-declaration of being free from low pathogenic H5N2 avian influenza in compliance with national and international standards, and as part of a gradual process which the government intends to complete in order to declare the self-declaration in other areas of the country in 2017 and 2018, which would generate new export opportunities for the poultry industry.
Health restrictions have been put in place In Guatemala as well as increased controls in three municipalities in Petén, after the presence of an outbreak of the virus at a poultry farm in Belize was reported.
A cordon has been set up in the municipalities of San Luis, Dolores and Benque Viejo, which are located in the vicinity of the affected areas in Belize.
The concern in the poultry sector is because the virus can be transmitted by contaminated smuggled eggs and by migratory birds and bird feces.
"The risk of the virus entering the country is high, due to poultry products entering illegally, therefore we are are demanding more border controls," said Marco Vinicio Solórzano, president of the Association of Egg Producers of Guatemala (APHG).
The National Association of Poultry Farmers in Guatemala states that avian influenza detected in Mexico could spread to the country due to the high volume of egg smuggling.
From an article in Revistaindustria.com:
In Guanajuato, Mexico, there have been outbreaks of avian influenza and poultry production is at risk due to the smuggling of eggs from this country.
Because of the bird flu outbreaks detected, two million 2,025,500 broilers were killed in Jalisco, while in Guanajuato 1.2 million chickens were sacrificed.
From a press release issued by the Secretariat of Agriculture, Livestock, Rural Development, Fisheries and Food (SAGARPA) of Mexico:
As part of the National Animal Health Emergency Declaration (DINESA), implemented to control and eradicate the avian influenza AH7N3 virus, the National Health, Food Safety and Quality Service, (SENASICA) has emphasized that the pathogen has been contained within the established health perimeter and there has been no viral presence in any other state.
Obtaining the appropriate health permits for Mexico enables Rican producers export more than 40,000 tons of eggs.
The outbreaks of avian influenza in the Aztec country motivated the sacrifice of 11 million birds, causing Mexican authorities to lift all restrictions on the importation of eggs, in order to meet domestic demand.
An article in Nacion.com reports that "The National Poultry Chamber (Canavi in Spanish) said in a statement this afternoon, that the National Service of Food Safety and Quality of Mexico has sent the permit to the National Animal Health Service (SENASA) of Costa Rica. '
The Mediterrean Shipping Company Mexico has announced the activation of its system of alliances with Colombian and Costa Rican ports in order to give special attention to ships with refrigerated cargo of chicken and eggs.
Through the program the company is making available to Mexico their ship’s continental routes to aid in the supply of eggs and chicken in the face of effects of the outbreak of bird flu detected in the state of Jalisco.
Following the outbreak of bird flu, the price of eggs has shot up and the government has announced the opening of import quotas.
As a measure to achieve stability in the price of eggs, which recorded increases of up to 60%, the Ministry of Economy in Mexico has announced tighter controls on imports in order to prevent speculation.
With the death and slaughter of chickens because of the AH7N3 virus in Los Altos de Jalisco, an area producing 50% of domestic supply, there was a drop of 2 million eggs a day, said the Department of Economic Development and Tourism in Tepatitlán .