Brazil bans fairs and exhibitions with birds to avoid bird flu

Rio de Janeiro, Mar 30 (EFE).- Brazil, the world's largest producer and exporter of chicken meat, banned this Friday the holding of fairs, exhibitions, tournaments and other events with crowds of birds, in a measure aimed at avoiding the possible entry into the country and the spread of the so-called bird flu. The preventive measure, applicable throughout the country initially for 90 days, was adopted by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock due to the registration of new cases of the disease in countries of the region, such as Argentina, Uruguay, Peru, Ecuador, Venezuela and Colombia, some of which have already declared a health emergency and slaughtered thousands of birds. The provision also suspends the raising of birds outdoors or in pens with no cloths on top in registered commercial establishments. According to the decree, the restrictions apply to "any species of bird produced in captivity and to other birds raised for other purposes." Brazil, the world leader in ...