Environmental tragedy in Chile: black-necked swans affected by avian flu and health alert in La Araucanía – Noticias Ambientales

19 April, 2026

More than 60 black-necked swans were found dead in Lake Budi, Saavedra commune, La Araucanía Region in Chile, after a preventive patrol. The specimens showed symptoms compatible with the H5N1 virus, confirmed by the central laboratory of the Agricultural and Livestock Service (SAG) in Santiago.

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The situation led to the declaration of a regional health alert, within the framework of the national zoosanitary emergency already in effect due to the spread of avian flu in different areas of the country.

Spread of the virus

According to Rolando Sepúlveda, regional head of livestock protection at SAG, the disease is mainly transmitted by migratory birds from the northern hemisphere and can also affect domestic birds. Therefore, producers and rural communities were urged to implement biosecurity measures and report any suspected contagion.

The virus had already been detected in other locations:

• Renaico (550 km south of Santiago).
• Galvarino (680 km south).
• San Clemente (Maule).
• Nogales (Valparaíso).
• Pumanque and Las Cabras (O’Higgins).
• Melipilla (Metropolitan Region).

The spread confirms that the outbreak is moving from north to south, affecting both wild and domestic birds.

Risk to humans

Avian flu can be transmitted to humans, although cases are exceptional and require close contact with infected birds or contaminated environments. The consumption of cooked meat and eggs remains safe, as the disease is not transmitted through food.

SAG reinforced the call to not handle dead or sick birds and to immediately report any suspicious findings.

The black-necked swan

The black-necked swan (Cygnus melancoryphus) is the largest aquatic species in Chile and a symbol of the southern wetlands.

• Appearance: black neck and head, white body, and red caruncle over the gray beak.
• Size: males up to 6.5 kg and females 4.5 kg, with a length of up to 122 cm.
• Diet: herbivorous, consumes aquatic plants and algae.
• Reproduction: monogamous, nests between October and November, and carries its young on its back.
• Distribution: from Huasco to Tierra del Fuego, with a significant presence in the fjords of Magallanes.
• Conservation status: faces threats from habitat loss and illegal hunting.

Currently, it is estimated that more than 170 specimens have died in Lake Budi due to the avian flu outbreak, constituting a serious emergency for local biodiversity.

Ecological importance

The black-necked swan plays a key role in wetland ecosystems, contributing to the ecological balance and dynamics of plant and animal communities. Its nesting and parental care behavior is essential for the reproduction and survival of the species.

The environmental tragedy in Lake Budi reflects the vulnerability of wild species to global diseases such as avian flu. The health alert aims to protect both biodiversity and public health, reminding us that the conservation of wetlands and their emblematic species is essential for Chile’s ecological resilience.