Chile confirms first bird flu outbreak and suspends chicken exports

 Chilean authorities on Monday confirmed the first outbreak of bird flu in poultry in the South American country, prompting it to suspend exports of chicken MEAT from the country.

“The laboratory reported positive results and began to control the territory,” the minister said.

Valenzuela hopes that exports can resume by the end of the 28-day ban imposed by international protocols.

In Chile, the disease had previously only been found in wild animals. In February, HEALTH authorities detected the first case in a marine mammal in northern Chile.