Peru reports case of bird flu one month after declaring country free of the disease

 

Headline:  WATT Poultry,  10/14/2026

Roy Graber reports:

Article Summary 

Highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 was confirmed in a Peruvian laying hen flock in October, killing nearly 3,000 birds and forcing the depopulation of the remaining 2,860 hens, just over a month after the country had been declared free of the virus. 

• H5N1 HPAI confirmed on October 7 in Centro Poblado El Tallán, Peru affecting a commercial laying hen flock 

• 5,800 hens total: 2,940 died from infection and 2,860 were depopulated to control spread 

• Infected birds showed respiratory and neurological signs before confirmation 

• Outbreak occurred just over one month after Peru was declared H5N1-free on September 3 [emphasis added]

• Response included quarantine measures, facility disinfection, and surveillance around the outbreak area

Other South and Central America bird flu posts:

September 2026

Brazil reports dolphins infected with bird flu.  (9/28)

Uruguay declares bird flu health emergency.  (9/7)

June 2026

Honduras reports outbreak of bird flu.  (6/24)

April 2026

Some vampire bats in Peru are infected with bird flu.  (4/30)

Bird flu kills more than 60 black-necked swans in Chile.  (4/20)

March 2026

Argentina reports cases of bird flu in commercial and backyard flocks.  (3/10)

February 2026

Argentina reports first cases of bird flu in commercial operation since fall of 2025.  (2/25)