The Markets Directorate in Cuenca is stepping up inspections to enforce a temporary nationwide ban on the sale, display, and concentration of guinea pigs and rabbits.
The order applies across fairs, supply centers, and livestock events, and local authorities have moved quickly to align with it. Checks are now being carried out in municipal markets and public trading platforms throughout the city to ensure compliance.
Officials describe the measure as preventive and temporary, with ongoing monitoring of the situation. Local authorities say they will continue adjusting their response as new information becomes available.
The restriction follows the identification of a health event affecting rabbits, marked by unexplained mortalities. The situation remains under epidemiological analysis and diagnosis.
The concern extends beyond rabbits. In Ecuador, rabbits and guinea pigs are often raised within the same production systems, creating a pathway for indirect transmission of pathogens. Shared handling by workers, along with common use of equipment and facilities, increases the risk of spread.
To limit that risk, guinea pigs have been included in the ban, even though the issue was first detected in rabbits.
The measure is expected to remain in place only as long as necessary to contain potential spread and clarify the nature of the health event.