August 22, 2009

Chile finds AH1N1 in turkeys

Chile has detected the AH1N1 flu virus in turkeys, the first time it was found outside humans or pigs, authorities said Thursday (Aug 20).

Chile's farming and livestock agency SAG said the flu outbreak had been controlled at the two farms 120km west of the capital Santiago.

Laboratory results had ruled out the presence of H5N1 or bird flu virus.

The World Health Organisation declared AH1N1 a full pandemic in June and the virus has now spread to some 180 countries, causing at least 1,462 laboratory-confirmed deaths. The WHO says the pandemic is unstoppable.

The AH1N1 virus was first seen in March in Mexico and California. Experts said at least one million people have been infected in the US alone.

The head of the WHO, Margaret Chan, said this week that the world must remain on guard against the AH1N1 flu, which has been mild so far but could become more serious as the northern hemisphere heads into winter.