Pará declares state of preventive zoosanitary emergency against avian influenza

To ensure the sanitary status of Pará — which remains without reported cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) — the State Government published, this Thursday (29), in the Official Gazette, Decree No. 4,694, which declares a Zoosanitary Emergency State throughout the Pará territory. The measure is preventive and aimed at containing the H5N1 virus in commercial and subsistence poultry.

The decree establishes that the Agricultural Defense Agency of the State of Pará (Adepará) will act as the central body responsible for coordinating actions of surveillance, prevention, and control of the disease, in coordination with the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAPA) and other federal instances. Adepará will also be responsible for defining the general guidelines necessary for the execution of sanitary measures in the state territory.

According to Samyra Albuquerque, agricultural inspector and epidemiology manager at Adepará, the decree is a strategic and proactive action that ensures the immediate activation of the governmental apparatus and allows for the mobilization of financial resources to execute the contingency plan, should outbreaks of the disease arise.

"The objective of the decree is to provide financial security for the State to act in the face of a sanitary emergency. And, through these resources, it will be possible to execute the actions outlined in the contingency plan. Adepará is already working on various fronts — with inspection, sanitary monitoring, and sanitary education — and will be able to mobilize other partner bodies to act together," highlighted the manager.

The measure also authorizes the participation of public bodies, private institutions, and all entities linked to Pará's poultry industry in supporting preventive and control actions against the disease.

180 days of validity

With a validity of 180 days, the decree determines that, during this period, the municipalities of Pará intensify surveillance and monitoring actions in rural establishments — both commercial and subsistence. The goal is to meet the guidelines of the National Poultry Health Program (PNSA), which aims for early detection and effective combat of avian diseases.

State free of avian influenza

Pará continues to have no reports of avian influenza. All samples sent to the federal MAPA laboratory tested negative for the disease.

Ongoing actions

Adepará continues to execute sanitary surveillance actions in commercial farms and rural establishments, sanitary education activities, responding to notifications, and inspecting biosecurity practices on properties. Additionally, the agency maintains the implementation of the Avian Influenza and Newcastle Disease Surveillance Plan in industrial and subsistence flocks. The plan includes the collection of biological material for research on both diseases, in a continuous epidemiological study.

Notification is mandatory

Notification of suspicions is part of the routine of the Official Veterinary Service. Anyone can report suspected cases of Avian Influenza through the following channels:

- Phone: (91) 99392-2469
- Email: [email protected]
- e-SISBRAVET Platform: Access via the website of the Brazilian System of Veterinary Surveillance and Emergencies.

Recommendations to the population

Adepará warns that people should not touch or collect sick birds or dead animals. Furthermore, it emphasizes that consuming well-cooked chicken meat and eggs does not transmit avian influenza. The guidance is for the population to consume only inspected and safe products.

"The collaboration of the population and rural producers is essential for the success of preventive measures. The declaration of the state of emergency is a preventive measure, fundamental to ensure the protection of poultry farming, vital for the state's economy," reinforces Lettiere Lima, manager of the State Poultry Health Program.