Brazil Has 4 Suspected Cases of Avian Flu in Humans

Ministry of Health says samples from 38 people came out negative

São Paulo (SP)

The Ministry of Health informed this Tuesday (23) that four residents of Espírito Santo are still under suspicion of being contaminated with the avian flu virus (H5N1). The blood samples collected from these people are being analyzed by Fiocruz (Oswaldo Cruz Foundation).

On the other hand, all the other 38 tests carried out (34 in Espírito Santo and four in Rio de Janeiro) in people who had contact with sick birds were negative.

On the night of this Monday (22), Mapa (Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock) published an ordinance in the Federal Official Gazette declaring a state of zoosanitary emergency throughout the country, which must remain in force for a period of 180 days and may be extended for a period undetermined. The purpose of this decree is to prevent the disease from reaching subsistence and commercial poultry production, in addition to preserving fauna and human health.

Mapa will continue to alert the population not to collect sick or dead birds and call the veterinary service in their city if they find any in these conditions.

Translated by Cassy Dias

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