Argentina tightens health protocols to control bird flu

Chickens sit in cages at a farm, as Argentina's government adopts new measures to prevent the spread of bird flu and limit potential damage to exports as cases rise in the region, in Buenos Aires, Argentina February 22, 2023. REUTERS/Mariana Nedelcu

Argentina's government adopted new measures on Tuesday to prevent spread of bird flu and limit potential damage to exports as cases rise in the region.

Authorities decided to tighten sanitary controls on imports of poultry products to avoid the virus spreading, officials told reporters.

Economy Minister Sergio Massa said authorities were on high alert but there was no risk for the population or exports at the moment.

A hen sits at a house in San Fernando, on the outskirts of Buenos Aires, as Argentina's government adopts new measures to prevent the spread of bird flu and limit potential damage to exports as cases rise in the region, in Argentina February 22, 2023. REUTERS/Mariana Nedelcu

Argentina last week confirmed its first cases of avian influenza in wild birds, prompting the government to declare a health emergency.

Uruguay, another important international agricultural producer, also declared a health emergency last week.

The Argentine government has committed more than 1 billion pesos ($5.2 million) to compensate affected producers.

Chickens sit in cages at a farm, as Argentina's government adopts new measures to prevent the spread of bird flu and limit potential damage to exports as cases rise in the region, in Buenos Aires, Argentina February 22, 2023. REUTERS/Mariana Nedelcu

The virus has prompted import bans in some countries and pushed egg prices to record highs in some parts of the world.

(Reporting by Jorge Otaola; Editing by Bradley Perrett)

Chickens sit in cages at a farm, as Argentina's government adopts new measures to prevent the spread of bird flu and limit potential damage to exports as cases rise in the region, in Buenos Aires, Argentina February 22, 2023. REUTERS/Mariana Nedelcu