Outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) continue to pop up at commercial and backyard flocks all over South America with some of the most recent reports coming out of Chile, Argentina and Ecuador, according to the World Organization for Animal Health.
Commercial farms in Chile
Confirmed on March 10, an HPAI outbreak at a broiler breeder farm in Rubiana 1, Comuna de Rancagua, Chile killed 511 birds with the remaining 40,867 culled by health officials.
The origin of the outbreak and the other safety measures implemented are unknown.
Backyard flocks in Chile
Three backyard flocks in Chile were hit by HPAI last month between February 26 and 28 in Playa Penco, Llancahuito and Rucapequen, Chillan Viejo killing a total of 138 birds and one black-necked swan.
Commercial farms in Argentina
Argentina saw three HPAI outbreaks at commercial farms with the most recent at a broiler farm in Mainqué, Río Negro reported on March 9. After testing confirmed the presence of HPAI, the 450,000- bird flock was culled, and the farm was quarantined.
The other two outbreaks were reported on March 3: one at a laying hen farm in Senillosa and the other at a commercial heavy breeder farm in Mar del Plata. Seventy birds at the Senillosa farm died of HPAI, and the remaining 10,430 were culled. The Mar del Plata farm reported 19,558 HPAI deaths with officials only culling the last 129.
The origin of all three outbreaks is unknown.
Backyard flocks in Argentina
In addition to the commercial cases, Argentina reported HPAI outbreaks the first week of March at backyard flocks in nine different regions: Totoras, Santa Fe; Avia Terai; San Luis; Las Lajas, Neuquén; Toledo, Córdoba; Trenel; Buenos Aires; La Cautiva; and Grutly.
The total number of deaths, both HPAI-related and culled, was 1,193.
Commercial farms in Ecuador
Reported on February 27, a commercial layer farm in Las Parcelas de Llano Grande saw 16 HPAI deaths with health officials culling 42.
Origin and implemented safety measures were not reported.
Backyard flocks in Ecuador
An HPAI case at a backyard native laying hen flock was reported in San Sebastián February 19 with 53 HPAI deaths and 13 culled. And another native laying hen flock in San Francisco reported an HPAI outbreak February 28 with 16 deaths and 42 culled.
