Together we can fight avian influenza: If you find sick birds, do not touch them and immediately contact SAG

Avian influenza, also known as bird flu, is a highly contagious disease caused by a virus that affects domestic and wild birds. It can eventually be transmitted to other species, such as animals and humans. 

In recent months, the virus has advanced as infected migratory birds have moved south. Colombia was the first country in South America to detect the presence of the virus, followed by Ecuador, Venezuela and Peru. In Chile, the Agricultural and Livestock Service (SAG) has confirmed positive cases of the disease between the Arica and Parinacota and Coquimbo regions. They declared a health emergency on December 9, and have been permanently monitoring the situation. All positive cases are wild birds, in particular pelicans. 

Given the situation, early detection is essential to contain the disease. The support of the public is therefore key, and you can help by alerting SAG to any case of mortality and/or behavior change in domestic or wild birds. 

SAG is also working in a public-private partnership with all stakeholders in the poultry production chain to increase biosecurity measures. 

▶ If you find sick or dead birds, inform SAG immediately: 

1. Go to or contact the SAG office closest to the place where sick or dead birds have been detected. 

2. From Monday to Friday, between 9.00am and 6.00pm, call the Service Call Center on 2 2345 1100 or write to oficina.informaciones@sag.gob.cl. 

3. Call +56 9 690 89 780 outside of office hours, as well as Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. 

IMPORTANT: Do not touch, handle or move sick or dead birds. 

Frequently Asked Questions about Avian Influenza 

What is avian influenza?

Also known as bird flu, avian influenza is a highly contagious disease caused by a virus that affects domestic and wild birds. It can eventually be transmitted to other species, such as animals and humans. 

The human flu virus, also called seasonal influenza, is not the same as the bird flu virus. 

How is bird flu transmitted? 

It is transmitted: through contact with secretions from the beak and nostrils, feces, feathers, intestines and blood of infected birds; when buying or receiving infected birds as a gift, even when they look healthy; via people who, having come into contact with sick birds, carry the virus on their hands, clothes, shoes, vehicle wheels, etc. 

What symptoms can be seen in infected birds? 

• Lack of appetite and coordination. 
• Ruffled plumage. 
• Difficult breathing, with nasal secretions. 
• Diarrhea. 
• Lower egg production, with soft or misshapen shells. 
• Swollen head and bluish color on crest, wattles and feet. 
• Prostration and death. 

How can I prevent infection in poultry? 

The advice is to take extreme security measures in pens, avoiding that your birds come into contact with wild birds. You must also follow all the biosecurity measures indicated by SAG. In addition, you must be attentive to signs of the disease, and notify SAG in case of signs of disease or mortality in your birds. 

• Keep your birds in a protected place, away from animals, people and wild birds. Protect water and food, as they attract wild birds. 
• Clean and disinfect the bird facilities on a regular basis. 
• When integrating birds from other places, keep them separate from your birds for 21 days. 
• Control the entry of people, utensils, animals and vehicles to your pens. 
• Wash your hands with disinfectant soap and water after handling your birds. 

What should I do if I observe these symptoms in poultry? 

• Inform SAG immediately. 
• Wear gloves and a mask when handling sick and/or dead birds. 
• Immediately separate sick birds from healthy ones to avoid contagion. 
• If your birds die, double-bag them and wait for the arrival of SAG. 
• Do not dispose of sick and/or dead birds in watercourses, such as rivers, lakes and ditches. 
• Do not eat sick and/or dead birds, or feed them to your pets. 

▶ All information can be found on the website of the Agricultural and Livestock Service (SAG).