Bird flu: Brazil begins to monitor migratory birds

21/03/2006 - 9h28

Márcia Wonghon
Reporter - Agência Brasil

Recife - Specialists from the Ministry of Agriculture have begun to monitor migratory birds arriving in the Fernando de Noronha arquipelago and the Coroa do Avião, a tiny island located between the municipalities of Igarassu and Itamaracá on the north shore of the state of Pernambuco.

This step is aimed at keeping bird flu from reaching Brazil, since these birds are the main carriers of the virus that causes the disease. According to the national secretary of Agricultural Protection, Gabriel Maciel, the initiative is part of the national plan for the prevention and control of the disease.

Activities are planned for eight other states, besides Pernambuco. "We are also investing in the installation of laboratories to have a more precise diagnosis of the disease," Maciel pointed out. He explained that, despite the almost zero risk that bird flu will enter Brazil, it was necessary to take preventive measures.

The state department of rural production sent the Ministry of Agriculture a request to install mats soaked in a sanitary solution at the Guararapes airport, so that passengers on international flights will not unwittingly spread the virus.

The secretary of rural production, Ricardo Rodrigues, informed that the state already has a register of chicken breeders, which will facilitate rapid communication in the case of an emergency.

Translation: David Silberstein