The Puerto Rico Department of Agriculture confirmed bird flu in Cabo Rojo and Lajas, detecting highly pathogenic avian influenza in birds on two private properties and ordering 120-day quarantines, Telemundo Puerto Rico reported.
Laboratory tests detected the virus after multiple birds died: about 20 criollo ducks in Cabo Rojo and about 30 guinea fowl, among other species, in Lajas, according to El Vocero. Agriculture announced the results Oct. 13. Telemundo reported the quarantines stem from Administrative Order 2026-25, dated Oct. 10. The reports did not name the laboratory.
The quarantines restrict the movement of birds on the properties and require disinfection of footwear, equipment and vehicles, controls on who enters and leaves, and periodic visits by Agriculture. Decisions on surviving birds depend on epidemiological and veterinary evaluations. The origin of the cases is not known. Migratory birds are under evaluation.
Agriculture Secretary Irving Rodríguez Torres said officials have no suspicions about other properties or commercial poultry operations for now, Metro Puerto Rico reported. Agriculture is in contact with major producers to reinforce biosecurity measures.
Health Secretary Víctor Ramos Otero said 27 people who were on the two properties are under epidemiological surveillance and none has shown symptoms, El Nuevo Día reported. They are monitored daily for 14 days, and no one has been tested because no one has shown symptoms, El Vocero reported. Authorities describe the risk to the general public as low.
Agriculture and the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources (DRNA) are discussing preventive measures ahead of the duck hunting season, which begins Nov. 1, Metro reported. Rodríguez Torres said the decision belongs to the DRNA secretary and that Agriculture’s role is to make a suggestion.
Authorities urged people not to touch, collect or move sick or dead birds. Unusual bird deaths can be reported to USDA-APHIS at 1-866-536-7593 or to the Puerto Rico Department of Agriculture at 787-721-2120.
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Sources: Puerto Rico Department of Agriculture release, as reported by El Vocero and Telemundo Puerto Rico; El Nuevo Día; Metro Puerto Rico.
