Pelicans die as bird flu spreads to Venezuela

Venezuelan authorities take emergency measures to protect poultry producers following bird flu outbreak in pelicans.

Many pelicans were found dead off the coast of Venezuela over the weekend as the species arrives during its annual winter migration.

Other outbreaks among the pelicans have sparked bird flu alerts in Peru and Ecuador.

Bird flu has been hitting migratory birds in North America and many other countries in recent months.

Pelican carcasses have been found on beaches, seashores, mangroves and trees in the northwestern state of Ansoategui.

Tested positive for bird flu.

As a precautionary measure, the government imposed a 90-day quarantine in five states: Anzoategui, Sucre, Nuevo Esparta, Miranda and La Guaira.

Agriculture Secretary Wilmer Castro Soteldo suggested in a statement that the National Institute of Agricultural Health would work to avoid spreading it to other species of birds, especially those eaten by humans.

Rules now prohibit the transfer of live birds and fertilized eggs from the quarantined state, and entire flocks that may have come into contact with infected birds must be culled, the statement said.

The government said the infected pelicans arrived in Venezuela during their species’ annual winter migration.

Peru and Ecuador have also been warned of bird flu outbreaks.

It is already evident that there are no live poultry on the market in Caracas.

Chicken is one of the main ingredients in hallaca, a traditional Venezuelan dish, which is cornmeal stuffed with meat, vegetables and fruit.

Gabriela Medina, 41, said: “I don’t see a live hen in the market at this time of year, which makes me wonder.”

“I’m hoping to get chicken or eggs for Christmas.”