The death of animals is the other side of the forest fires that are recorded and fought in the south-central zone of the country. This is the case of Santa Juana, where the mayoress Ana Albornoz acknowledged that she is facing a complex health situation, for this reason as a municipality they are taking various steps, including asking for private support, to expedite the burial of cattle and prevent diseases from arising.
In the midst of the tragedy that is experienced by the emergency of forest fires in the south-central zone of the country, a situation is recorded that represents a health risk and has to do with the animals that died because of the fire and that have not yet been removed.
After a tour of Radio Bío Bío in San Juana, it was found that several victims, while cleaning the areas consumed by the flames, coexist with charred animals.
The other side of fires: the death of animals
This is how a woman from the Curalí sector, who had pigs and chickens, related it to La Radio: “There is a health risk, I am swallowing pure smoke from the animals”lamented the woman, who also asserted that they do not have drinking water either.
This is a complex reality that the mayoress of Santa Juana, Ana Albornoz, also referred to: “The health situation is complex, we knew from day one that we were going to have a problem with the issue of deceased animals and animal rescue.”
As an example, the mayor recounted the case of a neighbor who she refuses to leave her house and is surrounded by 60 burnt pigs.
In this context, through an official letter, the mayoress asked the Chief of National Defense in the Bío Bío region to create a shelter for animals that are loose and injured.
Regarding the dead animals, he indicated that they requested support to forestry companies to help them with burials. With this they seek to minimize the emergence of diseases and a health crisis.
Susan Angulo, veterinary technician in charge of the Municipal Zoonosis Office, stated that this Wednesday they will deploy machinery to bury animals in rural areas. In addition, lime will be delivered to the neighbors so that they can do the same with the smaller ones.
SAG protocol
The Agricultural and Livestock Service (SAG) has a protocol for the disposal of dead animals in emergencies.
The document states that burial of animal carcasses should be done as soon as possible. to be late, the bodies must be sprayed with a repellent product to avoid the presence of insects, birds and scavengers.
In cases where transfer is required, during the waiting time they must remain outside the affected property. The transfer must be carried out in containers that prevent the leakage of liquids and the vehicles must be subsequently washed and disinfected.
The director(s) of SAG, Roberto Ferrada, added that Burials must be done in areas at least 50 meters away from bodies of water and 250 meters away from water collection points for human consumption.
“The owners are in charge of taking care of these issues, but there is coordination with the municipalities,” he said, stating that the building houses have hired veterinarians to support these tasks, mainly in rural areas.
He also called on drivers to avoid running over animals that are tearing from the fire.
Review the protocol in its entirety below: