H5 confirmed in Colonia backyard birds
The outbreak was identified in backyard birds in Colonia, in south-western Uruguay. According to the MGAP, the case was investigated following a health alert involving mortality among birds of different species at the affected premises. An initial rapid test was negative, but samples were subsequently sent to the official laboratory, where testing confirmed the presence of the virus.
The veterinary authorities have placed the affected holding under official sanitary measures and have begun an epidemiological investigation to establish the origin of the event and identify possible links with other premises. Measures include sanitary depopulation of exposed birds, their safe disposal, and cleaning and disinfection of the premises and potentially contaminated materials.
Authorities are also tracing potential movements, contacts and other epidemiologically relevant events during the preceding weeks. Surveillance has been reinforced in the surrounding area, while the Ministry of Public Health is following up people who may have been exposed to birds at the infected premises.
Emergency measures apply nationwide
The national emergency was established through Resolution No. 202/026 of the General Directorate of Livestock Services (DGSG). Although the outbreak has so far been identified in backyard poultry, the response applies across Uruguay, reflecting the need to limit the risk of further spread through bird movements and contact between domestic and wild birds.
Movements of backyard poultry and birds that are not controlled through the country’s official Poultry Monitoring System have been restricted. Birds controlled through that system are exempt from the movement restriction.
Backyard poultry and birds kept in free-range production systems must now be housed in closed and roofed facilities. The requirement is part of the preventive measures established under Uruguay’s avian influenza contingency plan.
The emergency order also suspends fairs, auctions, exhibitions and other events involving avian species. As a direct consequence, birds will not be present at Expo Prado, Uruguay’s major agricultural and livestock fair, scheduled to run from 11 to 20 September.
No cases detected in commercial poultry
The distinction between backyard and commercial poultry is central to the current situation. Uruguay’s authorities have stated that, as of the latest update, no highly pathogenic avian influenza cases had been detected in commercial poultry production.
This does not eliminate the risk for the sector. Backyard flocks, free-range systems and smallholders can represent potential interfaces between wild birds, domestic poultry, people, equipment and local trade. In this context, the nationwide confinement requirement is a preventive biosecurity measure rather than an indication that the virus is already widespread in industrial poultry farms.
The authorities have also stressed that the consumption of poultry meat and eggs does not present a risk to human health in relation to this event. The public-health concern is instead linked to direct exposure to sick or dead birds, which is why citizens have been advised not to handle them and to report unusual mortality or suspect clinical signs immediately.
A second emergency in 2026
This is Uruguay’s second avian influenza emergency declaration in 2026. The first was issued on 24 February after the virus was detected in wild birds in the departments of Maldonado, Rocha and Canelones. That emergency was subsequently lifted in May, making the September declaration a new emergency rather than a continuation of the February measures.
The first case in that episode was confirmed on 20 February in a coscoroba swan found near Laguna Garzón, in eastern Uruguay.
The recurrence of an emergency within the same year illustrates the persistent pressure posed by avian influenza at the wildlife–domestic poultry interface. It also shows why surveillance cannot be limited to commercial farms: early warning depends on timely reporting from backyard flock owners, wildlife monitoring, diagnostic capacity and close coordination between veterinary and public-health services.
Biosecurity remains the first line of defence
For commercial poultry producers, the Uruguayan emergency is a reminder that biosecurity must be maintained even when no cases have been reported in the production sector itself. The priority is to reduce opportunities for virus introduction through birds, people, vehicles, equipment, feed, water and contact with wild fauna.
In practical terms, farms should review the integrity of housing, prevent access by wild birds, rodents and other animals, and ensure that personnel, visitors and vehicles follow appropriate hygiene and disinfection protocols. Producers should also maintain mortality records and establish procedures for the immediate reporting of abnormal mortality or respiratory, digestive or neurological signs. The MGAP has specifically called on poultry owners to strengthen cleaning and disinfection of facilities, equipment, vehicles and materials used for bird management.
For free-range and backyard systems, temporary housing in covered and enclosed facilities is particularly important. While this may create management and welfare challenges, the measure is designed to reduce opportunities for contact with wild birds during a period of heightened epidemiological risk.
The importance of early reporting
The Uruguayan response underlines the importance of rapid detection. The Colonia case was investigated after unusual bird mortality was observed, and confirmation followed laboratory testing despite an initially negative rapid test. This sequence is a practical reminder that a negative initial screening result should not automatically close a suspected avian influenza investigation when mortality patterns or other evidence remain compatible with the disease.
Prompt notification allows veterinary services to impose movement controls, investigate contacts, collect samples, conduct surveillance and reduce the likelihood that infected birds, contaminated equipment or other risk pathways will spread the virus further.
For Uruguay’s poultry industry, the immediate objective is to keep the outbreak contained within the affected non-commercial setting. The longer-term objective is broader: maintaining strong surveillance, disciplined farm biosecurity and effective communication with producers, backyard flock owners and the public, so that suspected cases are reported before a local event becomes a production-wide crisis.
