More than 1 million birds have been sacrificed in Chile because of an avian influenza (H5N1) outbreak.
The number includes animals that have been victimized by the disease and those that have been preventively slaughtered.
The first cases were registered in wild birds last year.
In a short time, the virus spread to industrial farms nationwide, causing a severe crisis in the sector.
Because of the avian flu, the government suspended chicken meat exports until the situation is entirely under control.
The health problem has strongly affected the economy of the Andean country.
Egg prices suffered a 35% increase.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), which monitors the epidemiology of the disease, the virus does not easily infect humans, and the spread from person to person is uncommon.
However, the organization warns that human cases are expected as the avian influenza virus continues to circulate in bird populations.
Late last month, Chile reported the first case of avian influenza in humans.
The patient is a 53-year-old man, according to the Chilean Ministry of Health.
With information from Revista Oeste
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