Paraguay has strengthened health surveillance and the fight against the illegal entry of chickens, eggs and pork after a case of highly pathogenic avian influenza was confirmed in domestic poultry in the Uruguayan department of Canelones, about 40 kilometers from Montevideo. The National Service for Animal Quality and Health (Senacsa), Paraguay’s state animal-health authority, raised the alert level and expanded monitoring at entry points, commercial farms and family-owned properties.
The country retains its status as free of avian influenza, a condition considered essential for protecting domestic production, food safety and export markets. The disease is highly contagious among birds and can lead to trade restrictions when outbreaks are recorded. Senacsa instructed producers, veterinarians and residents to immediately report unusual bird deaths, a sudden drop in egg production or other suspected signs.
At the same time, an interinstitutional meeting coordinated by Interior Minister Enrique Riera discussed measures against the smuggling of poultry and pork products. Participants included Víctor Maldonado, director general of the Directorate-General for Animal Health and Inspection of Products of Animal Origin (Digesit), which is attached to Senacsa; legal adviser Víctor Barreto; and representatives of the Ministry of the Interior, the Public Prosecutor’s Office, the National Police, the Rural Association of Paraguay and producers.
The issues examined included the informal egg trade, the clandestine entry of pork and the volume of illegally slaughtered chickens reaching the market. The drafting of a manual for handling seized animals was also discussed, including guidance on their disposition and health controls.
As a result, the institutions proposed creating a permanent technical working group with border-control agencies, health authorities, police forces and representatives of productive sectors. The initiative seeks to unify procedures and improve the response to irregular trade, which not only affects formal producers but can also make food tracing more difficult and increase the risk of introducing diseases.
Senacsa said that consuming chicken meat and eggs that comply with health controls remains safe. The main recommendation for farms and breeders is to maintain biosecurity measures and quickly report any suspected case, since early detection reduces the possibility of the virus spreading and of future trade restrictions.