As we reported last night, Avian influenza has been confirmed at two poultry farms in Blue Creek, Orange Walk. Tonight, it poses a serious threat to Belize's poultry industry - and there could be major losses for the infected farms - which now have to slaughter tens of thousands of birds.
Tonight, it's two farms - but, it could be more. Cherisse Halsall went to Blue Creek today and has this story:
It's the epicenter of the now confirmed Avian Influenza that has been detected in two barns: one in the Blue Creek Community and another in Shipyard.
And Blue Creek was also the site of an emergency meeting between BAHA, the Poultry Association and Chicken farmers from both Blue Creek and Shipyard.
Miguel Depaz, Chief Veterinary Officer
"Yes, as you all know we got preliminary results from the United States on Friday last week and yesterday our results came back and those results were positive for Avian Influenza. but it is enough to know to take actions to immediately control and eradicate the disease and give the general public the assurance that chicken is safe, poultry is safe and poultry products because BAHA is taking the necessary actions and as you see the most stringent aspect as I put it is to eliminate the source, where the source is, you want to de-populate the birds at those farms and I say those farms because so far we have identified 2 poultry farms, one in Blue Creek and One in Ship Yard."
And it was on the road to the one major poultry producer that we saw this farm encircled by caution tape. Is it the Index farm? We can't be sure.
But on the positive side Poultry Association Manager Armando Cowo stressed that the situation in Blue Creek has nothing to do with the health of your $5chicken or the frozen stock at your grocer.
Reporter
"If I am a consumer and I go to the grocery store tonight and I see Caribbean chicken after watching this news story, where I see these logos should I feel safe to buy that chicken?"
Armando Cowo, Manager, Belize Poultry Association
"Yes, you should feel safe it is very safe to consume the chicken. I have said it before there is no need for you to panic and run to empty the chicken and say well this chicken is safe and the one that's coming tomorrow is not safe. No.no poultry meat is safe for consumption and eggs are safe for consumption. What owe are doing here is taking necessary steps and measures to contain a virus that has reared up in this area."
But what needs to be done to contain the virus?
Well, a total of 28,000 birds will be slaughtered and their bodies buried 6 feet under in order to eradicate any last traces of the disease. It's a harsh measure but one that was agreed upon at today's meeting for what seems like the benefit of all parties involved.
Miguel Depaz, Chief Veterinary Officer
"Not only is it costing the producers but it will cost government, it will cost BAHA, and so whatever we do right now is really much less than what it could be if we don't take action"
But those actions could be for naught if contaminated birds had already been sent to live chicken markets in Orange Walk. We asked Depaz whether he thinks that was the case.
Miguel Depaz, Chief Veterinary Officer
"We are hoping not but like I said we are ramping up testing so this evening we will have at least 300 results more which is representative of at least 12 farms and I want to say that what has been put in place is that the birds that are going for slaughter are being tested. Only negative birds can go to slaughter."
Reporter
"Sir, I'm sure viewers will hear you say the word hope and be concerned at this time there is no guarantee that you have that these other farms haven't been contaminated."
Miguel Depaz, Chief Veterinary Officer
"Yeah, we. Don't know what the spread is but what I can assure the public is that you don't get Avian Influenza through consumption of poultry or consumption of eggs and not any avian influenza is transmitted to humans there are certain types of avian influenza that have been knowing to be transmitted to humans."
Miguel Depaz, Chief Veterinary Officer
"We are prohibiting the movement of live birds out of the two infected areas so that is already a stringent measure not allowing live birds to move out of infected areas."
That movement will be prohibited for what is projected to be six months although the experts told us that that time period could change depending on how the situation evolves.
