Chile: Authorities call to avoid contact with wild birds and marine animals due to avian influenza
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In the National Directorate of Cernapesca in Valparaiso, health authorities and SAG authorities have come together to strengthen the coordination of intersectoral action in the context of infection of a marine mammal with avian influenza.
After the first detection of avian influenza infection of sea lions, the Director(s) of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Department, Soledad Tapia, together with the Director(s) of the Agriculture and Livestock Service, Andrea Colau, and the Undersecretary(s) of the Ministry. Health Pública del Minsal, Fernando González, this morning reinforced the call for citizens to cooperate in the campaign to prevent the spread of this virus, urging not to touch or move them when seeing sick or dead birds or marine animals and to contact them immediately with the SAG. or Cernapesca.
“We have reviewed response protocols in the face of the animal health epidemiological situation of this situation that is advancing in the world. Chile continued its effective responses and investigations to identify avian influenza. It is a matter of preventive coordination to prevent this infection in animals from continuing to advance on the Chilean coast, and in this sense, sanitary work is intensified to have an epidemiological response when necessary,” Mensal said.
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H5N1 avian influenza is a rapidly spreading viral disease that primarily affects birds and has no cure. Despite the fact that it is mostly prevalent in wild birds, there is currently only one case of interspecies infection in our country. It’s a sea lion, which tested positive in Antofagasta last week, according to Sernapesca’s national director Soledad Tapia. “It is important to note that we have only one confirmed positive case of avian influenza, and we have strengthened our joint work with SAG, to continue sampling cases showing symptoms associated with avian influenza. The most important thing for citizens is to stay away from marine animals that have stranded them,” Tapia said. Ways dead or alive.
To date, there have been positive cases of avian influenza in wild birds between the regions of Arica, Parinacota and Los Lagos, with the exception of the metropolitan area, Los Rios and La Araucanía, which has no positive cases.
SAG National Director(s), Andrea Colau, noted, “This type of disease is present in 11 regions of our country and in 25 affected bird species. Together, as public bodies, we are redirecting the avian influenza campaign because we need the cooperation of citizens, first By keeping a distance between them to protect them, and then by reporting sightings of stranded animals because that allows us to focus on inspections.”
The services have already activated the joint action plan to prevent the spread of the virus that causes avian influenza. The institutions have specialists in all regions and have prepared joint and independent work protocols, in addition to training on sample collection, the correct use of personal protective equipment, and the availability of help desks to receive complaints. 24 hours
To reduce its progression, it is necessary, in the event that it is in front of a bird or any other species showing signs of avian influenza disease or its death, not to touch it, not to move, not to move immediately. Inform SAG on 223 451 100 or Sernapesca on 800 320 032 if you are a sea lion or penguin.
