Minister assures bird flu poses no threat to the Dominican Republic

Santo Domingo.- The Dominican Republic’s poultry industry remains unaffected by avian influenza, as the virus primarily impacts production in certain U.S. states. Agriculture Minister Limber Cruz assured that authorities and poultry farmers have implemented strict preventive measures to keep the virus out of the country.

Cruz highlighted that egg production has surged by over 100 million units per month, surpassing previous years. To safeguard local production, inspectors at ports and airports have been instructed to block the entry of eggs, chickens, or poultry products from affected regions. He reassured the public that the country has sufficient egg supply and that necessary protocols are in place to prevent outbreaks.

Meanwhile, in the United States, a newly identified H5N1 variant has been detected in dairy cattle, leading to reduced milk production and rising egg prices. Since April, the virus has killed millions of hens and infected nearly 70 people across multiple states. However, health officials emphasize that bird flu poses minimal risk to humans unless there is direct contact with infected poultry.