Influenza pandemic (H1N1) 2009, animal health (03): Chile, avian, RFI

Date: Thu 20 Aug 2009
Source: The Star, Reuters report [edited]
<http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/8/21/worldupdates/2009-08-21T090946Z_01_NOOTR_RTRMDNC_0_-418790-2&sec=Worldupdates>


Chile finds H1N1 swine flu in turkeys
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Chile detected the H1N1 swine flu virus in turkeys, authorities said
on Thursday, the first time the virus has been found outside humans
or pigs.

Chile's farming and livestock agency SAG said the flu outbreak had
been controlled at the two farms 120 km [75 mi] west of the capital
Santiago.

"We call on the public to consume turkey products with confidence," a
SAG statement said. It added that laboratory results ruled out the
presence of H5N1 or bird flu virus.

The Geneva-based World Health Organization declared H1N1 a full
pandemic in June [2009] and the virus has now spread to some 180
countries, causing at least 1462 laboratory-confirmed deaths. The WHO
says the pandemic is unstoppable.

The H1N1 swine flu virus was first seen in March [2009] in Mexico and
California. Experts say at least 1 million people have been infected
in the United States alone.

Genetic tests show the virus appears to have originated in pigs but
it is now spreading from human to human.

The head of the WHO, Margaret Chan, said this week that the world
must remain on guard against the H1N1 flu, which has been mild so far
but could become more serious as the northern hemisphere heads into
winter.