Avian influenza is an infectious viral disease that affects birds, but has enough potential to infect different species of mammals.

"Humberto Maldonado, director of Animal Health, at the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food (MAGA), explained that 'the first thing to do in these circumstances is to strengthen epidemiological surveillance in the border area and solicit the support of the Ministry of the Interior and the Guatemala Army and to control smuggling of chicken meat and eggs ', because this is what poses the greatest risk to Central America", noted an article in Siglo21.com.gt

From 1 to 4 September Guatemala will conduct a simulation in order to determine the effects of preventive measures to be taken in the event of a crisis of this kind.

Source: siglo21.com.gt

More on this topic

Guatemala: Phytosanitary Alert Over Avian Influenza

June 2013

A prohibition is in force on the importation of birds, poultry products and by-products from infected countries, mainly affecting imports from Mexico.

The emergency warning issued by the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food (MAGA) prevents the import of any input that comes from countries infected with the highly pathogenic avian influenza H7N3, detected mainly in Mexico.

Guatemala: Concern about Bird Flu in Mexico

May 2013

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).

Chickens and Eggs Will Be Scarce in Mexico

March 2013

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:

Alert in Guatemala over Bird Flu in Mexico

July 2012

Preventive measures are being taken in light of an outbreak of the H7N3 virus in the Mexican state of Jalisco, which has led to the slaughter of about 900,000 birds.

Faced with the threat of the virus, the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food (Maga) has increased controls in border areas with Mexico, said the Deputy Minister Sebastian Marcucci.