The Agricultural and Livestock Service (SAG) has issued a health alert in the La Araucanía Region after 60 dead birds were found in Lake Budi, in the Saavedra commune, and a new case of avian influenza was confirmed in Galvarino.
During preventive patrols, authorities spotted a large number of swans floating lifelessly on the water. SAG technicians have collected samples, which have been sent to the Metropolitan Region for laboratory analysis.
While official results are still pending, the agency warned of a high probability that the cause is avian flu. The symptoms observed in the birds—including ruffled feathers, lethargy, and twisted necks—are consistent with other outbreaks recorded in southern Chile.
This heightened risk follows the recent confirmation of an H5N1 avian influenza case in a black-necked swan in the Los Ríos Region, fueling concerns over the spread of the virus among wildlife.
Prevention and surveillance measures
Rolando Sepúlveda Figueroa, the regional head of livestock protection, urged the public to take extreme precautions when encountering birds showing suspicious symptoms.
“If you see sick birds—whether in your backyard, a coop, your home, the countryside, or in the wild—do not touch them,” Sepúlveda warned.
The official emphasized the importance of reporting any abnormalities immediately. “If you detect birds that have died or are showing neurological or respiratory issues, do not touch them; instead, report it to the service so we can conduct the necessary testing,” he requested.
Alongside the incident in Saavedra, SAG confirmed a positive case in a backyard poultry farm in the Galvarino commune. In this area, authorities are maintaining active surveillance to contain the spread of the virus among domestic birds.
Meanwhile, the situation in the Renaico commune, where 72 birds died within a single week, has already been declared resolved by health authorities.
SAG reminded producers that those with properly registered animals may be eligible for state insurance to mitigate economic losses. However, protocol dictates that any infected or suspected bird must be culled through authorized euthanasia to prevent the virus from spreading further throughout the region.
