ICA Colombia | Agricultural Standards & Regulations

Bogotá DC, December 3, 2025. The Colombian Agricultural Institute (ICA) confirms the detection of an outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in backyard birds, constituting the first case reported in 2025 in the department of Sucre. This outbreak does not represent a risk to national production, so the consumption of eggs and chicken meat in the country is not compromised.

This case was identified in a timely manner thanks to passive surveillance actions and prompt notification by the owner. The ICA was notified and attended to a respiratory and neurological condition in backyard birds on a rural property located in the municipality of Guaranda, Sucre. The samples analyzed by the National Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory of the Institute confirmed the presence of the virus.

This outbreak occurs in an area recently affected by flooding during the winter season and where the presence of migratory birds is observed, the main risk factor for the introduction of the virus. It is important to remember that in December 2024 the ICA attended, controlled and successfully eradicated seven (7) avian influenza outbreaks under similar conditions. The country continues in a period of epidemiological risk due to the migration of birds from the northern hemisphere.

After confirmation of the case, the ICA immediately activated the control, quarantine and eradication protocols, in coordination with health and environmental authorities at the local and national level.

The ICA reiterates to citizens that, as this is an outbreak detected exclusively in a backyard property, that is, a self-consumption plot, this situation DOES NOT AFFECT COMMERCIAL PRODUCTION, nor does it compromise the consumption of eggs and chicken meat at the national level. The supply chain remains secure and supplied.

Furthermore, this timely detection, as established by the World Organization for Animal Health (WHO), does not affect the health status of self-declaration of freedom from highly pathogenic avian influenza.

The ICA reiterates the importance of biosafety, since avian influenza is a zoonotic disease and, therefore, can affect human health. Prevention is the most effective tool to protect national poultry and public health.

We call on you to continue with the established prevention and control measures, especially to immediately notify if you recognize signs compatible with the disease in your birds, especially in the Caribbean region.

If you see signs like:

We emphasize the importance of avoiding contact of backyard birds with migratory birds, not handling sick or dead birds, and reporting any abnormal findings in domestic or wild birds. These actions aim to protect the health of birds and prevent the spread of the disease, thus guaranteeing food security and public health.
The ICA remembers that, through the Resolution 18592 of December 3, 2024a national health emergency was declared to facilitate the availability of resources for the control and eradication of the disease.

Notification channels