Suriname detects H5 bird flu after mass chicken deaths at poultry farm

Suriname has detected the H5 type of avian influenza following a sharp increase in chicken deaths at a poultry farm in Wanica, authorities have announced.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries said several samples tested positive for influenza A, type H5, after authorities launched an investigation into unusually high mortality among broiler chickens over the past week.

Further laboratory testing is needed to determine the specific variant and whether it is a highly pathogenic or low pathogenic form of avian influenza.

Authorities said particularly heavy losses were recorded at a poultry farm in Wanica with approximately 6,000 chickens. More than half of the birds have reportedly died.

Agriculture Minister Mike Noersalim said Suriname had long sought to prevent avian influenza from entering the country and had been among the few South American countries where the disease had not been detected for an extended period.

The Veterinary Service conducted testing in collaboration with the Bureau of Public Health. Dr. Karg, deputy director of the Veterinary Service, confirmed that several samples returned positive results for H5.

Authorities have since launched source and contact tracing amid concerns that the virus could have spread beyond the affected farm.

A team was dispatched to Commewijne after authorities learned that chickens from the Wanica farm had been transported to a location there. Investigations are underway to determine whether the movement of the birds resulted in further spread.

The Veterinary Service said measures are being taken to contain infections and prevent transmission to other poultry operations.

Poultry farmers have also been urged to immediately report unusual or sudden increases in bird deaths to the Agriculture Ministry.

Authorities noted that high temperatures can contribute to chicken mortality, but said the scale and speed of the recent deaths prompted further investigation.

Noersalim said Suriname had already implemented measures aimed at preventing the introduction of avian influenza, including restricting imports of hatching eggs from parts of Europe affected by the disease.

Poultry products brought into the country without the required authorization have also been seized and ordered destroyed, according to authorities.

Border controls are now being tightened further, including enhanced measures in eastern Suriname.

The response involves the Agriculture Ministry, Bureau of Public Health, National Coordination Center for Disaster Management, Pan American Health Organization and other local partners.

Avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu, primarily affects birds. While some strains cause mild disease, highly pathogenic forms can spread rapidly and cause severe illness and mass deaths among poultry.

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