Argentina regains H5N1-free status after containing avian influenza outbreak

ARGENTINA – The government of Argentina has officially declared itself free from H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), after the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) confirmed that the outbreak in both commercial and backyard poultry has been successfully resolved.

The declaration comes just weeks after the country faced a confirmed case of HPAI on August 17 at a laying hen farm in Buenos Aires Province. 

The affected site housed 33,000 hens, of which 12,700 died from the virus, while the remaining 20,300 were culled to stop its spread. Authorities also destroyed 65,000 eggs and packaging materials as part of the containment measures.

By September 29, 28 days had passed since cleaning and disinfection activities were completed at the farm, with no new infections reported. On this basis, Argentina submitted a self-declaration to WOAH confirming that the outbreak in commercial production was no longer active.

Backyard outbreaks resolved

The HPAI situation in non-commercial poultry has also been closed. Since July 14, Argentina has recorded four incidents among backyard flocks, three in Buenos Aires and one in Entre Ríos Province, resulting in the loss of 1,125 birds through mortality and culling. 

With no further detections reported, WOAH has recognised the country as free from H5N1 across both commercial and backyard systems.

Surveillance remains in place nationwide, combining active and passive monitoring to ensure early detection should the virus reappear. Following these declarations, no active avian influenza reports are currently listed for Argentina in the WOAH database.

Poultry sector significance

Argentina’s poultry industry is a cornerstone of its agri-food system. According to the National Service for Agri-Food Health and Quality (SENASA), which is responsible for enforcing animal health regulations, the country has 4,033 poultry establishments. 

These include 299 genetic facilities, 77 hatcheries, and 3,657 broiler production farms. In 2022 alone, slaughter totalled more than 751 million chickens.

The laying sector is equally substantial, with more than 42 million laying hens in production and 8.9 million rearing birds. A total of 1,019 laying establishments are officially registered nationwide.

Argentina had previously declared itself free of H5N1 in August 2023 following a successful stamping-out and surveillance campaign. 

That outbreak was especially significant as it marked the country’s first-ever detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza.

This latest self-declaration reinstates Argentina’s HPAI-free status in line with Article 10.4.6 of the WOAH Terrestrial Animal Health Code, covering the entire country. 

The move restores confidence in the health of the national poultry population and safeguards one of South America’s largest poultry industries.

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