Chile detects first human case of avian influenza

Chile's Ministry of Health has announced the first case of avian influenza in humans.

According to a statement issued by the ministry, yesterday, the infection is a 53-year-old man who showed severe flu symptoms, but his condition is stable.

The government is looking for the source of infection and is working to identify contacts of the patient.

Chile has reported H5N1 avian influenza cases since late last year among wild animals.

The recent discovery of cases on farms has led to the government suspending poultry exports. Cases have also been detected in the sector in Argentina. But Brazil, the world's largest poultry exporter, remains contagious-free.

Health authorities in Chile have indicated that the virus can be transmitted from birds or marine mammals to humans, but there is no known human-to-human transmission.

Global health officials have said the risk of human-to-human transmission is low, but vaccine manufacturers are preparing bird flu shots for humans as a precaution.