The SAG confirmed during the night of this Saturday the first positive case of avian influenza in Valparaíso. Currently, the virus is present between the regions of Arica and Valparaíso, which to date has killed 3,247 wild birds, which have already been buried by the SAG.
The Agricultural and Livestock Service (SAG) reported that following analysis in his laboratory, he confirmed the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza of the H5N1 variant, in a pelican on the coast of Tunquén, Valparaíso region, thus confirming that the virus continues to move to the south of the country in wild birds , without even affecting backyard or industrial birds.
Within this framework, a coordination meeting was held during the followingnoon, headed by the Undersecretary of Agriculture, José Guajardo; the Presidential Delegate of Valparaíso, Sofía González; and the head(s) of the SAG Operations Subdirectorate, Grisel Monje; and where the provincial presidential delegates and representatives of the Health Seremis, ONEMI, Navy and Sernapesca also participated.
Faced with this new positive case, the SAG increased its alert level considering that the disease has already entered a region with more intensive poultry production, for which reason it is reinforcing surveillance work, especially in poultry and industry.
In addition, the authorities called on bird owners and farms to maximize biosecurity measures by avoiding contact of their birds with wild birds.
This is a relatively rapid advance from the north to the south, considering that the first case in the Coquimbo region had just been confirmed yesterday, Friday.
Increase in complaints
On the other hand, and in view of the high demand for citizen complaints of dead or sick birds throughout the country, the Service called on people not to touch or move them, to avoid the spread of the disease and wait for the complaint is dealt with by specialized personnel.
It should be noted that the Service’s technicians review case by case to discriminate whether the death corresponds to a presumed death from avian influenza or is due to another cause, for this reason the information that people provide is of great relevance.
private public deployment
It should be noted that avian influenza is a contagious viral disease that affects both domestic and wild birds, it has no cure or treatment. Although less frequently, avian influenza viruses have also been isolated from mammalian species, as well as from humans.
Since the alert was lifted in the American continent due to the presence of this virus in migratory birds, the SAG began a close public-private effort to mitigate possible negative effects on the productive matrix of the poultry industry.
Along these same lines, it is important to indicate that there is an unnamed poultry insurance in the private sector that covers the affectation of birds killed by avian influenza for poultry farmers with mortality of up to 1,000 birds. It should be noted that the insurance is activated with a Slaughter Resolution issued by the SAG, therefore timely reporting is essential.
The SAG reinforced the call for citizens to report the presence of dead or sick birds to:
Emails: contacto.valparaiso@sag.gob.cl / oficina.informaciones@sag.gob.cl
From Monday to Friday, between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m., call the Service Call Center: 2 2345 1100
WhatsApp number +56 9 690 89 780 or +569 90449801, which works outside office hours, as well as Saturdays, Sundays and holidays.
