After it was discovered that a Newcastle disease focus had been declared at a Huercal -Over chicken farm, the highest officials of the Andalusian government sent a message to calm the people yesterday.
Jesus Aguirre (Acting Minister of Health and Families), pointed out that yesterday there was no “type of food or health alarm” and that the Huercal farm that was affected was in “isolation” relative to other farms. He asked for “tranquility,” both from Almeria and all citizens, in light of the outbreak.
Aguirre spoke to Canal Sur Radio and explained that there was only one case of the disease detected by the veterinary teams from the Ministries of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Sustainable Development and Health and Families. Once the initial indications on June 24 are confirmed, they “are doing their job in control, inspection and prevention>>.”
Aguirre stated that isolation protocols are being implemented for the farm in relation to surrounding farms. He also pointed out that if the disease were to spread to humans, it would be a type of viral infection. Mild and mild “conjunctivitis”
Jose Maria de Torres (General Director of Public Health and Pharmaceutical Regulation), spoke in the same vein from El Ejido’s Poniente University Hospital. He stated that it was about “a viral infection that only affects birds” and can cause conjunctivitis in people. However, he said that there is no problem with eating chicken meat.
De Torres denied that Newcastle is a zoonosis. This means that the disease is passed from one animal to another. He stressed that although it is a health issue for animals, he must emphasize that it is not a problem with food.
He also mentioned that the virus is “completely inactivated” when the chickens are exposed to heat, which is what the virus is sensitive to.
“The poultry sector in Andalusia is very important, which moves millions of euros, where many workers and I do want the population to be completely reassured,” stated the regional head for Public Health.
De Torres maintained that the matter was in the hands the services responsible for animal health. If the disease isn’t controlled, “it can spread” to other animals and cause death. However, he said that it is “subject to surveillance” of people who were in direct contact with sick birds to see if any symptoms develop. This is very rare. He said that it is very similar to avian flu, which is another variant.
The main poultry farmer associations in Almeria, the Coordinator of Organizations of Farmers and Ranchers, and the Agrarian Society of Young Farmers, ruled out any concern or alarm among their members. Sources from both organizations confirmed that “none has been affected” and that there have not been any notable queries.
However, the Board’s veterinary services adopted control measures, such as the slaughter of all the Huercal farms affected, approximately 10,000 six-week-old poultry.