EN 
PT_BR 
The Government of Goiás, through the Goiás Agricultural Defense Agency (Agrodefesa), concluded this Tuesday (17/6) the main emergency actions to contain and eradicate the outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (IAAP – H5N1), registered in subsistence birds in the municipality of Santo Antônio da Barra, in the southwest of Goiás. Agrodefesa reinforces that the consumption of poultry meat and eggs remains safe. The case did not involve commercial farms and there is no economic impact on the production sector.
The work was carried out with the support of several institutions and coordinated by the Animal Health Emergency Operations Center (Coezoo). The action followed three main fronts. In the main area, Agrodefesa teams eliminated approximately 233 birds, including sick birds and those that had come into contact with the animals, and disinfected all the facilities used for breeding, totaling 22 thousand square meters. The animals were buried in sanitary trenches, in accordance with the guidelines of the National Avian Influenza Contingency Plan.
In the surveillance zones, 194 properties were inspected within a total radius of ten kilometers from the outbreak. The 25 closest properties, which were within a three-kilometer zone of the property, received two inspection cycles. Two sanitary barriers were also installed, with around 200 approaches for guidance and disinfection of vehicles.
The third front of work involved health education actions with the population of the region. Agrodefesa teams carried out 350 home visits and actions in schools, fairs and businesses, directly impacting around 1,300 people with information on prevention and reporting of the disease.
“Even though this was a case involving subsistence poultry, with no direct commercial impact, our actions were rigorous, fast and coordinated. We showed that the state is prepared to face situations like this efficiently and seriously. The response was proportional to the risk, with a focus on preserving our health credibility and protecting poultry farming in Goiás,” stated the president of Agrodefesa, José Ricardo Caixeta Ramos.
The director of Agricultural Defense at Agrodefesa, Rafael Vieira, who coordinated the task force, emphasizes the importance of the results obtained. “The surveillance actions were broad and detailed, and, to date, we have not identified any new cases of the disease on the properties inspected. This is an indication that the work was effective. Now we are entering a new phase, with the sanitary vacuum on the affected property and continued surveillance in the surrounding areas,” he explains.
Agrodefesa’s Animal Health Manager, Denise Toledo, who coordinated the operations, also highlights the mobilization of the technical team, the professionals who worked on planning the activities and the excellent application of protocols. “Since the first notification, we have acted with precision and strategy. The execution was exemplary, and we were able to complete the stages of the contingency plan quickly, ensuring the biosecurity of the region.”
Next steps
On Tuesday (17/6), the sanitary fallow period began on the focus property, lasting at least 28 days. During this time, any new poultry farming on the site is prohibited. Surveillance activities will also continue: teams will return to the focus every two days and to properties in the surveillance zone every week. In addition, the Emergency Operations Center will be demobilized, and the data collected during the action will undergo technical evaluation to guide possible complementary measures.
Joint action
Agrodefesa's work was reinforced by the partnership with state and municipal bodies, such as the city councils of Santo Antônio da Barra and Rio Verde, the Military Police (Rural Battalion), the Fire Department, Civil Defense, the Health Departments and the Fund for Livestock Development in Goiás (Fundepec), in addition to the private sector.
“The union between the institutions was fundamental to this result. We put into practice a plan that we already knew and now we are convinced that we are prepared. The Agrodefesa team demonstrated technical capacity, agility and commitment. It was an exemplary performance to protect public health and the state’s economy”, reinforces president José Ricardo Caixeta Ramos.
The mayor of Santo Antônio da Barra, José Cândido, highlights the role of the municipality. “We did not expect this situation, but the outbreak was detected here and we faced it together. The Agrodefesa team was precise in their work. The population can rest assured, as the actions were carried out responsibly.”
The agency advises the population to remain alert to signs of the disease in birds and to immediately report any suspicions via WhatsApp (62) 98164-1128.
