Bird flu has not been detected in people who ate meat and eggs from infected animals

The consumption of poultry and eggs has not led to people becoming infected with bird flu, the Directorate General of Food and Veterinary Affairs (DGAV) has clarified, adding that these products will only be withdrawn from supermarkets if the disease reaches commercial farms.

“To date, no cases of human infection caused by the consumption of poultry or eggs have been identified,” the DGAV said in response to Lusa.

For DGAV, transmission of the disease to humans through food is “negligible” given that the foods in question are usually consumed “properly cooked.”

Cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (GAAP) in humans have been linked to “direct and close contact” with infected birds.

Since the 2021/2022 season, no cases of bird flu infection in humans have been reported in Europe.

Last week, the DGAV reported that bird flu had been detected in a poultry farm in Chafé, in the district of Viana do Castelo, after it had already been confirmed in seagulls collected on the beaches of Espinho, Aveiro and between the beaches of Vieira de Castelo, Leiria and Pedrogão in Leiria.

Cases of the disease have already been registered this month in the districts of Aveiro and Faro.

As explained by this general directorate, since the second half of October 2023, there has been a gradual increase in registered outbreaks of diseases due to the arrival of migratory birds in Europe.

However, compared with the same period in the previous season, there has been a “significant improvement” in the epidemiological situation for bird flu in Europe, with a “notable decrease” in the number of reported outbreaks.

Since July, outbreaks have been reported in domestic and wild birds in several European Union countries besides Portugal, namely Germany, Belgium, Denmark, Spain, France, the Netherlands and Poland.

Between 2023 and 2024, Portugal has recorded 14 confirmed outbreaks in Aveiro, Coimbra, Faro, Leiria, Setúbal and Viana do Castelo. With the exception of the last area, the outbreaks have been detected in wild birds.

Despite this, Portugal remains officially free of the disease, with this status only lost when the virus is confirmed in commercial poultry farms.

When this happens, third countries typically impose restrictions on imports of birds and bird products.

Removal of poultry and eggs from supermarket shelves only occurs if outbreaks of infection are confirmed in commercial poultry farms, the DGAV said, noting that if this happens it will concern “only products that are linked to the detected outbreak.”

Portugal is currently under health restrictions in a protection and surveillance zone due to an outbreak that occurred in a poultry farm in Chafa, which led to the culling of animals.

These measures include bans on the movement of birds, their processed products and by-products, the settlement of farms located in these areas, and the sale of live birds at fairs and markets.

In the case of wild birds, control measures are aimed at the safe disposal of the carcasses of infected birds.

“If cases of infection of wild birds are confirmed, sanitary restrictions are not imposed, but in the event of episodes of mass mortality of these birds with subsequent widespread pollution of the environment, restrictions on the use of affected public places may be introduced,” he emphasized.

Prevention of GAPP also involves preventing contact between domestic and wild birds and observing hygiene procedures on poultry farms.

In the case of wild birds, virus monitoring is included in the Avian Influenza Surveillance Plan implemented by DGAV.

The main warning signs of bird flu include high and severe mortality of birds, decreased food and water consumption, and egg production.

Symptoms also include difficulty breathing, diarrhea, and neurological changes.

In general, HPAI is characterized by “high mortality,” and in the case of poultry, “it can reach 100% of the affected flock.”