El Salvador Declares 6-Month Health Alert for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza

The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG) of El Salvador has officially declared a six-month state of sanitary alert across the country to prevent the entry of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). According to the ministerial agreement signed on July 16, 2026, and published in the Official Gazette on July 21, 2026, the measure is strictly precautionary, as El Salvador currently reports no cases of the virus in either commercial poultry or wild bird populations. The directive, which remains subject to extension based on regional epidemiological developments, aims to bolster border controls and enhance biological surveillance protocols nationwide.

This decision follows a series of regional health warnings issued by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). Data from elsalvador.com indicates that the alert is a response to rising infection rates across the Americas, including confirmed outbreaks in the United States, Canada, Colombia, Argentina, Chile, and Brazil. The Ministry’s regulatory framework, detailed in Ministerial Agreement No. 96, seeks to preserve the nation’s status as a territory free from HPAI, a condition formally recognized since October 2004 under Executive Agreement No. 126.

Regional Context and Heightened Surveillance Measures

The urgency behind the Salvadoran government’s directive stems from recent viral detections in neighboring Central American nations. As reported by eldiariodehoy.com, Honduran health authorities confirmed the presence of HPAI in a black vulture found in El Higuito, Lempira, on June 3, 2026. Subsequent cases were identified in Taulabé, Comayagua; El Tiste and La Entrada, Copán; and a commercial poultry outbreak in San Pedro Zacapa, Santa Bárbara. Similarly, Costa Rican authorities reported an infected seabird on June 18, 2026, at Playa Espadilla in Manuel Antonio, Quepos.

To mitigate these risks, the MAG has intensified inspection protocols at all terrestrial borders, ports, and airports. These measures include both intrusive and non-intrusive inspections of luggage and cargo, supported by the deployment of specialized canine brigades. The government has authorized the immediate seizure and destruction of any avian products, subproducts, or genetic materials that fail to meet updated sanitary import requirements or originate from regions currently affected by the virus.

Obligations for the Poultry Sector

The sanitary alert imposes mandatory reporting requirements on all individuals and entities involved in the poultry industry. Under the new regulations, owners of commercial farms, backyard poultry keepers, and property managers are legally obligated to notify the MAG immediately if they observe any clinical signs of illness or suspicious bird deaths. Failure to comply with these notification protocols, or obstruction of technical inspections by the General Directorate of Livestock, may result in administrative sanctions under the Law for the Protection of Plant and Animal Health and the Safety of Unprocessed Foods.

Technical teams are now authorized to conduct clinical evaluations and collect biological samples from farms, slaughterhouses, and wetland areas where wild bird activity is high. Furthermore, the use of any vaccines against highly pathogenic avian influenza is now strictly prohibited unless specifically authorized and monitored by the MAG’s Division of Animal Health. The OIRSA (International Regional Organization for Plant and Animal Health) continues to advise local producers to maintain rigorous biosecurity standards, including the use of clean water, secure housing, and proper parasite control, as primary defenses against potential exposure.

Next Steps in Epidemiological Monitoring

The state of alert, which officially commenced on July 21, 2026, will serve as the baseline for national monitoring efforts for the next six months. The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock has indicated that the duration of this alert is prorogable, contingent upon ongoing risk assessments and the evolution of the disease across the continent. Producers and the general public are encouraged to consult official MAG communications for updates regarding sanitary requirements and to report any unusual bird mortality to local agricultural offices.

As the situation remains fluid, officials are emphasizing the importance of public cooperation in maintaining the country’s current disease-free status.