Avian influenza is one of the most serious threats to poultry farmers and traders across Central America and the Dominican Republic. This project helps the seven countries of the SICA region prevent, detect and respond to outbreaks more effectively, so that poultry trade in the region stays safe and sustainable. Using a One Health approach, FAO works with OIRSA, SE-CAC and WOAH to modernize and harmonize poultry health regulations based on international standards; to equip producers, extension workers and field technicians with stronger biosecurity and surveillance skills; and to help national veterinary services detect outbreaks sooner through updated diagnostics, shared regional criteria for risk-based surveillance and campaigns that encourage people to report suspected cases. The goal is a stronger poultry health system and safer poultry trade across the SICA region, contributing to SDGs 3 and 8.
Poultry is a pillar of food security, rural jobs and agri-food competitiveness in the SICA region, with production and trade generating close to US$200 million in revenue each year. In 2022, the Dominican Republic, Guatemala and Honduras were the region’s main chicken producers. In 2021, Costa Rica was the main exporter and Guatemala the main importer of poultry.
Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) is one of the most serious animal health threats to the sector, affecting producers, industry and exporters alike. Between October 2022 and June 2023, HPAI was confirmed in wild birds in Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras and Panama, and in backyard poultry in Costa Rica and Panama. The seasonal migration of wild birds increases the risk of the disease spreading to poultry across the region.
The region faces three main challenges in tackling HPAI: (i) regional and national regulations on the disease, poultry farming and the safe trade of poultry products are outdated and not harmonized; (ii) producers and other actors in the poultry value chain have limited capacity to prevent, respond to and control outbreaks, particularly in biosecurity, surveillance and early reporting; and (iii) veterinary services and related national institutions have limited capacity for HPAI diagnosis, surveillance and risk management. These gaps create trade risks and possible market closures, slow trade within the region and make demanding markets harder to reach. As trade disputes over sanitary requirements increase, stronger governance, closer regulatory alignment and better preparedness are essential to keep poultry trade safe and sustainable.
