Given the detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza in dairy cattle in the United States, in a preventive manner, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (Sader) took measures to increase passive surveillance and reinforce the clinical inspection of cattle from the neighboring country.
In order to rule out the circulation of the virus in the national territory, the National Agri-Food Health, Safety and Quality Service (Senasica) implemented passive surveillance in dairy cattle.
He also urged producers to immediately notify the health authority if they observe a reduction in milk production and decreased appetite in their animals or signs of respiratory illness, fever, cough, nasal discharge and eye secretions.
The General Directorate of Animal Health (DGSA) sent milk producers a statement requesting their support in timely notification and reported that, upon receiving the reports, personnel from the United States-Mexico Commission for the Prevention of Fever Foot and mouth disease and other Exotic Animal Diseases (CPA), will go to the stables to take samples, which will be analyzed in the Senasica High Security Laboratory.
In parallel, I request the General Directorate of Phytozoosanitary Inspection of Senasica to reinforce the clinical surveillance of cattle for all zootechnical purposes that intend to enter the country, with the aim that they do not present respiratory signs.
Evidence indicates that affected cattle in the United States are elderly cows. Mexico does not import those types of animals from that destination.
However, cattle intending to enter will be subjected to a thorough clinical inspection, which has already been reinforced with the aim of preventing animal health risks.
In a statement, it is highlighted that the consumption of products derived from pasteurized milk does not constitute a risk to public health, which is why the Ministry of Agriculture reiterated its recommendation to producers to adopt good production practices, among which the pasteurization of milk.
Likewise, he invited the population to avoid the consumption of raw milk and prefer pasteurized dairy products, thereby avoiding the transmission of this and other zoonotic diseases to people, such as brucellosis and bovine tuberculosis.
To report the suspicion of the presence of an exotic animal disease or pest, Senasica makes available to producers and the general population the telephone number 800 752 2100 and the AVISE application, usable for Android systems.
They can also report any incident to the offices of the Secretariat of Agriculture of Senasica, in the 32 States of the Republic.