Chile has been declared free of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in poultry, according to Agriculture Minister Esteban Valenzuela.
This is the result of the work of the Agricultural and Livestock Service (SAG), which has complied with all the procedures, monitoring and deadlines established by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH).
It has thus been possible to close all the commercial establishments in which positive outbreaks of this disease that affects birds were identified.
“Chile has been declared free of avian influenza in poultry. This is tremendous news in the face of the disaster caused by the rains, especially for the O’Higgins Region, which is one of the most important regions for white meat and poultry for export, job creation and the reactivation of work in slaughterhouses for the industry. This is one less problem, which is very important,” Esteban Valenzuela, Agriculture Minister.
SAG’s work to make Chile free of highly pathogenic avian influenza
Since the animal health emergency began in December of last year, SAG has sampled nearly 25,000 industrial birds and more than 96,000 backyard birds.
The avian influenza animal health emergency will continue, however, throughout the national territory. SAG therefore repeats its call for bird owners to maximize biosecurity measures in their facilities.
“This does not mean that we can let our guard down, because SAG is continuing to work intensely and has been deployed throughout the country in order to avoid new infections. We have increased biosecurity measures in the industry, working closely alongside it, which we believe will allow us to better face the next bird migration season next spring,” José Guajardo Reyes, SAG National Director.
Among the main biosecurity measures implemented is the confinement of birds, so that they do not come into contact with wild birds and others that could be affected, as well as the safeguarding of their food and drinking water.
This will avoid birds being infected with highly pathogenic avian influenza.
If you suspect symptoms, contact SAG immediately through the following channels:
- SAG office closest to your home.
- Telephone 22 3451100, Monday to Sunday, 8:00am to 9:00pm.
- WhatsApp +56 9 6908 9780, Monday to Sunday, 24 hours a day.
- Email: oficina.informaciones@sag.gob.cl