And while there are no easy choices, for BAHA, it's not the first time it is contending with Avian Influenza, In 2015, the "H5N2" strain of the virus was detected in the south - and swift, decisive action to kill of the infected birds eliminated the threat very quickly.
Cowo told us that the lessons learned in that event are guiding them in their response this time around:
Armando Cowo, Manager, Belize Poultry Association
"This event we are facing today as in 2015, we are beating it jointly with BAHA and we are trying to make sure that all the measure that are going into place the industry will support it so that we can get out of it as quick as possible and declare ourselves free of Avian Flu again. Of course it will have implications, we are looking at 28,000 birds that will be completely taken off the market. That has impacts, we are at an average of 4 pounds, we are looking at a little bit over 100,000 pounds of chicken going off the market so therefore it will have an impact that's guaranteed. It won't be a major impact, it's not like there will be scarcity of chicken on the market, that won't happen. We do have buffer stocks in the freezer so we don't need to worry about if there will be a shortage of poultry meats in the market as we speak."
Miguel Depaz, Chief Veterinary Officer
"We want to know that situation, we want to know the extent of the infection, um, of the disease, hopefully, it's only associated with the importation. If it's only associated with the importation perhaps the spread is limited nevertheless once we get the bigger picture or as the it evolves as situation evolves we could be taking different approaches to contain the disease and eradicate it."
Mendez says that BAHA is ramping up testing and this evening they are expecting 300 additional results which are representative of at least 12 more farms.
We'll keep following developments in this story.
