Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) has once again been confirmed in both poultry and wild birds in Argentina, officially ending the country’s HPAI-free status that had been maintained since September 2025.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!According to an official notification submitted to the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), the outbreak was confirmed on February 23 in the province of Buenos Aires.
HPAI Detected in Commercial Poultry Farm
The affected premises housed heavy breeding stock poultry. The farm operator reported increased mortality to Argentina’s National Service of Agri-Food Health and Quality (SENASA) after observing 694 bird deaths along with clinical signs consistent with avian influenza.
Samples were collected from the flock, and laboratory testing confirmed infection with an H5 variant of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza.
The flock consisted of approximately 30,000 birds. The source of infection has been listed as “unknown or inconclusive.”
As part of emergency disease control measures, all birds on the premises are being depopulated in accordance with national and international biosecurity protocols. This confirmation officially ends Argentina’s HPAI-free status, which had been in place since September 2025.
Avian Influenza Detected in Wild Birds at Nature Reserve
In a separate report, WOAH confirmed the presence of HPAI in wild bird populations at the Laguna Salada Grande Reserve.
On February 9, authorities were notified about a fulvous whistling duck showing neurological signs consistent with avian influenza. The bird was preyed upon before it could be captured and sampled.
Following this incident, surveillance activities in the area were intensified. Additional birds showing clinical signs were observed, and laboratory testing confirmed H5 HPAI infection.
Affected species included:
- Coscoroba swan
- Black-necked swan
- Brown-hooded gull
A total of 25 wild birds tested positive, excluding the initial duck that could not be sampled. This marks the first confirmed detection of HPAI in wild birds in Argentina since October 2025.