All 11 Wild Spix's Macaws in Bahia Test Positive for Lethal Virus

Overview

• ICMBio confirmed circovirus in every free-living bird, describing it as incurable and often fatal while posing no risk to humans.
• The macaws were seized in November under a judicial order and remain under ICMBio care with no return to the wild permitted.
• Inspectors reported dirty feeders and inadequate protective gear at the BlueSky facility, prompting fines of about R$1.8 million and an additional Inema penalty near R$300,000.
• Reports also cite further positives in captivity, with figures ranging from 21 infected captive birds to a total of 31, as authorities probe the outbreak's origin.
• All new releases are suspended pending sanitary control, while the breeding center contests parts of the account, saying no birds have died and some have tested negative after recovery.