March 20, 2023

Chile detects first bird flu case in industrial setting, 40,000 poultry culled

Chile has detected its first bird flu case in an industrial setting, at a plant belonging to meat producer Agrosuper in Rancagua, central Chile, resulting in 40,000 poultry culled and the government suspending avian product exports for 28 days, Fox News reported.

Carlos Orellana, head of livestock protection for Chile's farming and livestock SAG agency, said this was a limited event and no cases have been detected in the surrounding area.

Orellana said the culled birds only make up a small portion of the 30 million chickens in Chile.

He said the situation will be contained and Chile should once again be declared free of highly pathogenic bird flu.

Chile has detected bird flu cases since late last year, mostly in wild animals. Argentina suspended the export of avian products last month after confirming its first case of bird flu in industrial poultry.

Brazil, the biggest exporter of chicken in the world, has looked into a number of suspected cases but remains free of bird flu. A regional technical committee was established by South American health authorities earlier this month to address bird flu outbreaks.

-      Fox News