Chile reports a first human case of avian influenza, Uruguay begins vaccination in commercial poultry farms

A 53-year-old Chilean man has been infected with the avian influenza A(H5N1) virus, marking the first human case in Chile and only the second in the Americas. The patient, from Antofagasta, developed symptoms on 13 March and is still in critical condition with pneumonia. Genomic sequencing identified the virus as clade 2.3.4.4b, similar to viruses found in Chilean birds. Meanwhile, Uruguay plans to vaccinate all laying hens in commercial farms starting 2 May, following the detection of ten avian influenza outbreaks among wild birds. The Chilean government has implemented standard infection control precautions and is monitoring close and healthcare contacts. The exact transmission route is not clear, but environmental exposure is the most likely given the large number of dead sea mammals and birds in the area. The infection has been traced back to December 2014 and has recently spread among wild aquatic birds and sea mammals in the Antofagasta Region. The ministry emphasizes that there is no risk of transmission to humans through consumption of poultry products.