Chile’s Agriculture and Livestock Service (SAG) confirmed the first case of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza in the Los Ríos region on Thursday. The virus was detected in a black-necked swan found in the Cudico River, located in the commune of Mariquina.
Cristian Toledo, the regional head of livestock protection for SAG, stated that this is currently the only confirmed case in the area. The agency is now awaiting laboratory results for other bird species sampled in the same sector.
“We are maintaining quite active surveillance in these spaces,” Toledo said. “We are also waiting for new laboratory results that should arrive soon, regarding whether they are positive or not.”
Enhanced surveillance protocols
Following the discovery, SAG teams are patrolling the river area to identify any additional bird deaths or wildlife exhibiting symptoms consistent with the disease. Field agents are also conducting a census of domestic birds, including chickens and ducks, in nearby zones.
This census aims to determine if the virus has jumped from wild populations to domestic flocks. The agency is using this data to monitor the potential spread of the pathogen to other parts of the region.
The detection in Los Ríos follows a series of similar findings across Chile that have persisted since early March. These outbreaks have prompted the government to maintain early preventative alerts for a zoosanitary emergency across multiple regions.
Toledo noted that the confirmation triggered immediate protocols in Los Ríos to reinforce monitoring and rapid detection efforts. SAG officials continue to urge the public to report any sightings of dead or sick birds to local authorities rather than handling them directly.