The director of the Department of Clinical Sciences of the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Tarapacá, Sylvia Riquelmewho is a public health doctor, addressed avian influenza and warned that people should not handle sick or dead birds or mammals.
Avian influenza is a disease caused by the H5N1 virus that is highly contagious and mainly affects birds, both domestic and wild, and has been found less frequently in mammals and humans, Riquelme explained.
Just a few days ago, the Ministry of Health reported the first case in Chile of avian influenza in humans corresponding to a 53-year-old man from the north of the country who presented a severe influenza case. For this reason, the authorities and experts have exacerbated the call for people to take the shelters and for no reason approach or handle dead or sick animals.
“In birds, the virus is shed in feces and respiratory secretions and can be transmitted through direct contact with the secretions of infected birds or indirectly through the birds’ food and especially contaminated water” , indicated the health doctor.
“The virus is very resistant in the environment so it can survive for long periods at very low temperatures. Birds can spread it between neighboring countries or over long distances depending on migratory routes,” he added.
Riquelme explained that “infections in humans are rare, but they can occur after close contact with infected birds and animals. No cases of transmission between humans have been found to date.
According to the health worker, the current risk for the population “depends on the exposure and the people, the more exposure they will have the greater risk of infection. In February, a positive case of bird flu was confirmed in the species of sea lions in Antofagasta and given that the presence of this species is on the entire coast of the country, it is considered that there is a significant risk of spreading the disease.
The doctor explained that “samplings are being carried out on specimens and in Arica to date cases have been detected in a chungungo and two affected sea lions, which generates risk for the population, therefore it is very important to take preventive measures that consist of Do not handle sick or dead birds or mammals for any reason.
“If you have found or seen a specimen with symptoms such as respiratory distress, paralysis, peculiar movements, ataxic, loss of balance, you must move away from the animal and notify the authorities. in the case of sea lions to Sernapesca and in birds to SAG. And if you find a dead animal, you have to move away immediately and also report it, and especially if there is more than one dead animal, ”he stressed.
The health worker also recalled that “it is important that poultry workers or those who are involved with these species follow the corresponding safety protocols and get vaccinated against seasonal influenza. And disseminate preventive measures among their acquaintances and with their family.
Precautionary measures:
- Do not handle sick or dead birds or mammals for any reason.
- If you find or spot a specimen with symptoms, such as obvious respiratory distress, paralysis and peculiar movements, you must move away from the animal and notify the Sernapesca authorities in the case of sea lions and the SAG in the case of birds.
- If you find dead animals, get away immediately and report it, especially if it involves the mortality of several sea lions.
- It is very important that poultry workers or who are involved with these species follow the corresponding safety protocols and get vaccinated against seasonal influenza.
