Infectious Diseases 2023

The detection of HPAI outbreaks in 14 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean is a situation never recorded before. The identified outbreaks are mainly located in areas of the Pacific flyway.
The following is a summary of the situation in countries of the Region of the Latin America and the Caribbean that reported outbreaks of avian influenza in 2022 and 2023.
In Argentina, the National Service of Health and Food Quality reported the first detection in the country in wild birds on 15 February 2023, in the Pozuelos lagoon, north west of the province of Jujuy, near the border with Bolivia. Until 6 March, 39 outbreaks of avian influenza A(H5) have been confirmed in wild birds, backyard birds and poultry production farms in 9 provinces of the country: Buenos Aires, Chaco, Córdoba, Jujuy, Neuquén, Rio Negro, Salta, San Luis and Santa Fe, there have been no human cases of infection with avian influenza A(H5) in relation to the identified outbreak.
In Bolivia, on 27 January 2023, the National Service of Agricultural Health and Food Safety (SENASAG), reported the identification of avian influenza A(H5) in a poultry production farm in the Sacaba municipality, Department of Cochabamba. Until 23 February, SENASAG has identified 20 outbreaks of avian influenza A (H5N1) in municipalities of the Cochabamba department: 11 outbreaks in poultry production farms and 9 in backyard birds, so far with more than 218,000 slaughtered birds; no human cases of infection with avian influenza A(H5N1)in relation to the identified outbreaks have been reported.
In Chile, until 28 February 2023, the Ministry of Agriculture, detected the presence of cases of HPAI(H5N1) cases in 21 types of wild aquatic birds distributed in the coastal zone of the territory, in 11 regions of the country. On 8 February, a positive case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 was detected in backyard birds in Chañaral de Aceituno area, Atacama Region. Additionally, avian influenza A(H5) was detected in four aquatic mammals (3 sea lions and one sea otter) in the regions of Arica and Parinacota, and Tarapacá. So far, poultry production birds have not been affected, and no human cases with avian influenza A(H5N1) infection have been reported in relation to the identified outbreaks.
In Colombia, until 3 March 2023, the Colombian Agricultural Institute (ICA),identified 48 HPAI A (H5N1) outbreaks, in backyard bird, in 7 departments of the country. The last outbreak identified in wild waterfowl (pelicans) occurred in the municipality of Guapi, department of Cauca, on Gorgona Island wherean approximate population of 1,000 birds was calculated, of which 300 fell ill and 92 died. To date, no human cases of infection with avian influenza A(H5N1) have been identified in the reported outbreaks.
In Honduras, on 4 January 2023, the National Service of Agrifood Health and Safety (SENASA), reported the identification of avian influenza A(H5N1) in wild aquatic birds (Brown Pelicans) found in the city of La Ceiba, Atlántida department, and in Puerto Cortésmunicipality, Cortés department. No cases have been registered among domestic or poultry birds, and no human cases with avian influenza A(H5N1) infection have been reported in relation toidentified outbreaks.
In Mexico, between October and December 2022, the National Service of Health, Safety and FoodQuality (SENASICA) identified 50 outbreaks of highly pathogenic avianinfluenza A(H5N1) in backyard birds, poultry farms and wild birds, in 13 states of the country, Aguascalientes, Baja California, Chiapas, Chihuahua, State of Mexico, Jalisco, Michoacán, NuevoLeón, Oaxaca, Puebla, Sonora, Tamaulipas and Yucatan, with a total of 5.9 million affected birds. For the year 2023, on 2 March, SENASICA reported the identification of the avian influenza A(H5N1) virus in three poultry production farms in the municipalities of Asientos and Rincón deRomos, in Aguascalientes state. To date, no human cases with avian influenza A(H5N1) infectionhave been reported in the identified outbreaks. 
In Panama, on 20 December 2022, the Ministry of Agricultural Development of Panama (MIDA) confirmed the detection of HPAI A(H5N1) in a pelican found 32 kilometers from Panama City, on the Coast of the Pearl Archipelago in the Gulf of Panama. Until 9 March, 33 cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5N1) have been identified in wild waterbirds and backyard birds in 4 provinces of the country. Commercial poultry have not been affected, and no human cases with avian influenza A(H5N1) infection have been reported in the identified outbreaks.
In Peru, until 6 March 2023, 128 cases of avian influenza A(H5) have been confirmed in wild waterfowl (77 cases), backyard birds (39 cases) and mammals. Cases in wild birds and backyard birds were identified in 13 departments. Cases in mammals have been presented in 5 departments. 83% of cases in mammals correspond to sea lions. Three outbreaks have been recorded in zoos. To date, no human cases with avian influenza A(H5N1) infection have been detected in the identified outbreaks.
In Uruguay, on 15 February 2023, the Ministry of Livestock, Agriculture and Fisheries (MGAP) detected an outbreak of avian influenza A(H5) in wild birds (Black-necked Swans) affecting 100 swans. Additionally, on 3 March, the MGAP confirmed the detection of an outbreak of avian influenza A(H5) in backyard birds. To date, no human cases with avian influenza A(H5N1) infection have been detected in the identified outbreaks.
In Venezuela, on 29 November 2022, the Ministry of Popular Power for Productive Agriculture and Land, through inspection and epidemiological surveillance activities, identified an HPAI outbreak in pelicans in Puerto Piritu, Anzoátegui state, in which 172 wild aquatic birds were affected. Molecular studies detected Influenza A(H5) virus; this is the first time that HPAI has been detected in Venezuela. Subsequently, the Venezuelan Institute of Scientific Research (IVIC) confirmed the diagnosis by completing the characterization of the virus as A(H5N1). To date, no confirmed cases of avian influenza A(H5N1) have been identified in humans.