Morocco, a neighboring country, activates the "maximum alert" level and mobilizes the Ministries of Health and Interior in coordination with the Gendarmerie to prevent outbreaks or eradicate them

Argelia detecta un brote de gripe aviar, pero asegura que no se transmite a humanos

AFP/NOAH SEELAM - Health authorities fear a resurgence of avian influenza in the country following the discovery of several outbreaks in Algeria. A "high alert" level has been activated and the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of the Interior and ONSSA have been mobilised in coordination with the Gendarmerie to prevent or eradicate outbreaks.

Alberto García

Updated: 26/06/23

The Algerian Minister of Agriculture, Abdelhamid Hamdani, revealed that a first outbreak of avian influenza has been detected in a poultry farm in the town of Ain Fakroun, in the region of Oum al-Bouaghi, located in the northeast of the country, which would have caused the death of 50,000 infected birds and the slaughter of 1,200.

Hamdani declared that the outbreak is under control and that none of the neighboring towns have recorded outbreaks thanks to a surveillance system set up in the town where the outbreak was recorded and the neighboring areas.

"The recorded outbreak has been caused by migratory birds coming from Europe," the minister explained during a press conference in which he assured that the "H5N8 virus is not transmitted to humans."

According to the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), the outbreak was first detected on January 17 and was confirmed ten days later after receiving the results of the tests, the report of which was received by the health agency on Monday.

The authorities have announced restrictions on movements within the country and the destruction of animal remains and waste, as well as the control of wildlife.

La semana pasada se descubrió en Argelia la gripe aviar altamente patógena (IAAP) en una granja avícola de Ain Fekroune, en la wilaya de Oum El Bouagui, al este del país

In the neighboring country, Morocco, the general director of the Interprofessional Federation of the Poultry Sector (FISA), Chaouki Jerrari, has assured that no case of avian influenza has been detected in the country despite the fact that they are neighboring countries.

To avoid any potential contagion, the director of FISA has confirmed that border controls will be tightened, and has also informed that Mauritania will also impose more controls, thus preventing it from reaching Morocco through this third country. The Mauritanian government will reinforce controls especially at the port of Nouakchott and at the Oum Tounsi airport.

"All trucks transporting poultry products from Algeria or Mauritania are obliged to pass through a washing and disinfection station, without exception. And obviously, a whole series of documents are required at the border posts," Jerrari said.

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