Mexico declares epizootic alarm after H5N1 outbreak in Yucatan

Authorities in Mexico have declared an epizootic alarm on the Yucatan Peninsula following the detection of the highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza virus at a commercial egg farm in Uman.

Veterinary services ordered the depopulation and disposal of 225,860 laying hens to contain the outbreak. A quarantine has been established at the facility, and a 10 km protection zone has been implemented around the site.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (Sader) and the National Service for Health, Safety and Food Quality (Senasica) are conducting investigations to determine the source and extent of the infection. While the affected farm represents only 0.09% of the national poultry inventory, officials have increased epidemiological surveillance and biosecurity controls across the region to prevent further spread.

According to the Mexican Ministry of Agriculture, the outbreak is not expected to impact national egg availability, though it remains a significant threat to the poultry industry.