The circulation of poultry meat and eggs for human consumption due to bird flu is under “sanitary restrictions” in Viana do Castelo, Esposende and Barcelos, the Directorate-General of Food and Veterinary Affairs (DGAV) has established.
In a notice that Lusa saw this Monday on the DGAV website, the bans, which apply to 26 parishes and are to remain in force until September 15, were imposed after a case of bird flu was detected in a poultry farm in Chafa, Viana do Castelo.
Among the restrictions imposed in areas under protection or surveillance are the movement of birds, eggs, offal or other meat products from “farmed and wild birds” kept in establishments, slaughterhouses or game processing plants located there, the DGAV said in a notice dated August 14.
Anha, Castelo do Neiva, Chafe and São Romano de Neiva were the parishes of Viana do Castelo placed “under protection”, while another 13 parishes in that municipality were “under surveillance”, as well as five parishes in Esposende and four in Barcelos (in the Braga region).
The parishes of Viana do Castelo “under surveillance” are: Areosa, Santa Marta de Portuzelo, Vila Franca, Vila de Punje, Barrocelas and Carvoeiro, Mazarefes and Vila Fria, Santa Maria Maior and Monserrate and Miadela, Darke, Cardielos and Serreleis, Perre, Muhães, Subportela, Deocriste and Portela Sousa and Alvarães.
In Esposende, the affected parishes are Forhaïes, Esposende, Marinhas and Gandra, Antas, Belinho and Mar, and Vila Cha.
In Barcelos, the parishes at stake are Fragoso, Aldreu, Palme, Durrans and Tregosa.
The restrictions, which are the same for all parishes, also apply to the holding of “fairs, markets, exhibitions and other gatherings of imprisoned birds” as well as “the transfer of imprisoned birds to establishments located there”; or “the restoration of the wild bird population.”
Also prohibited is the “handling of hatching eggs from enterprises located there” and “the handling of eggs for human consumption from enterprises located there,” as well as the “handling of by-products of animal origin obtained from birds kept in enterprises” located in these areas.
“In all circumstances, poultry owners are required to send the Information Concerning the Food Chain (IRCA) to the operators of the slaughterhouses where they are to be slaughtered at least 24 hours before the animals arrive at the slaughterhouse,” the DGAV adds.
The ban on offal “does not apply to heat-treated products” provided that European Union rules are followed.
The DGAV clarifies that “the circulation of fresh poultry meat, poultry products and eggs for human consumption within the country from farms located in protection and surveillance zones” […] can only occur after the institution has accepted the appointment.”
“Several cases of HPAI infection have been identified in Portugal since the end of July 2024. [Gripe Aviária de Alta Patogenicidade] subtype H5N1 in wild birds in various regions of the continent, and on August 14, the disease was confirmed in domestic birds, namely in a poultry farm located in the municipality of Viana do Castelo,” the DGAV recalls.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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