“…obtaining tools to improve animal health, promote animal welfare and address challenges such as antibiotic resistance…”
Carlos Orellana Vaquero is the head of the Livestock Protection Division in Agricultural Services of the Chilean Agricultural Service – SAG and vice president of the Americas Commission of the World Organization for Animal Health – WHOA.
Orellana has a diploma in quality management from Instituto Nacional de Normalización, a M.Sc. in technological management from the University of Talca, and a degree in veterinary medicine from the University of Chile.
Carlos Orellana, head of the Livestock Protection Division
AgriBrasilis – What are the priorities of WOAH for Latin America?
Carlos Orellana – As the Chilean delegate to WOAH, I see that the overall objectives involve obtaining tools to improve animal health, to promote animal welfare and also address challenges such as antibiotic resistance.
Latin America will face several animal health challenges in the coming years, considering, for example, the arrival of African swine fever on the continent (Dominican Republic and Haiti) or the impact that avian influenza outbreaks have had on the continent. There is no doubt that WOAH will promote collaborative work in the region and that these issues will be addressed at the next meeting of the Commission for the Americas, which will be held in November.
“In the case of Chile, the main concerns have been the implementation of prevention and surveillance measures for African swine fever and avian influenza”
AgriBrasilis – Is the avian influenza an imminent threat in Latin America?
Carlos Orellana – The region has faced a severe impact from highly pathogenic avian influenza during 2023, posing an immense challenge for the region’s Veterinary Services. However, thanks to regional cooperation, international organizations and extensive public-private collaboration, avian influenza has been largely controlled in the region. Nevertheless, countries must maintain robust surveillance and early warning systems to diligently address potential outbreaks. Although the situation seems calmer than in 2023, Veterinary Services must be vigilant for a possible resurgence of the disease.
AgriBrasilis – Is the virus spreading faster?
Carlos Orellana – What we have observed is a clear role of wild birds in the spread of the disease, associated with the dynamics of migration. The impact of other species, such as marine mammals, has also been significant. The challenge is to work from the “One Health” perspective, coordinating efforts with the ministries of health and the environment of the countries.
We must study the dynamics of the avian influenza virus and its relationship with host animals and share the information obtained. In the case of Chile, we have carried out important genomic surveillance and organized the information in our genbank to better monitor possible mutations of the virus.
AgriBrasilis – What damage has the disease already caused in the region and what strategies have been adopted for surveillance and prevention?
Carlos Orellana – The disease has had a significant impact on domestic and wild birds. From a production perspective, it has resulted in the death and culling of millions of birds across the region. In addition, exporting countries have seen their poultry exports impacted for many months, and there are still markets that have not reopened.
We need to study and analyse the impact on biodiversity and the impact on ecosystems due to the deaths of thousands of animals, not just birds, in coastal areas.
AgriBrasilis – Besides the avian influenza, what are the main concerns for Animal Health in Chile and Latin America?
Carlos Orellana – In the case of Chile, the main concerns have been the implementation of prevention and surveillance measures for African swine fever and avian influenza. In addition, we seek to maintain our work in monitoring foot-and-mouth disease. All of this represents a huge amount of work and the provision of human and financial resources. As the Chilean Agricultural and Livestock Service, we have decided to make decisive progress in eradicating bovine brucellosis, and the Ministry of Agriculture has committed to making the final effort to eradicate this disease, a project that has been ongoing for 49 years.
Chile has invited member countries of the Permanent Veterinary Committee (CVP), such as Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, Uruguay and Paraguay, to also make progress in eradicating the disease.
AgriBrasilis – Is the occurrence of Newcastle cases in birds in Brazil a warning to neighboring countries?
Carlos Orellana – All countries in the region have made progress in reporting disease outbreaks early, which is a result of trust and transparency of information. The Newcastle situation only reaffirms the need for countries to have good surveillance systems, laboratories with trained personnel and up-to-date information management systems.
We must be alert to the effects of natural events such as fires, floods and others, which can cause biosecurity breaches and the emergence of diseases. Climate change and vector-borne diseases will be major challenges in the coming years and the Veterinary Services of Latin American countries must be prepared.
AgriBrasilis – Chile wants to eradicate bovine brucellosis. What stage is this project at and how much has been invested?
Carlos Orellana – Our country has faced the challenge of eradicating bovine brucellosis and today we can say that the disease is absent in the metropolitan region, in the north, and in the southern regions of Aysén and Magallanes.
Every year, we allocate approximately US$ 1 million to brucellosis surveillance, however, most of the costs are assumed by private companies that cover the tests performed on susceptible animals sold at livestock fairs and slaughterhouses.
The SAG believes that, given the current situation of bovine brucellosis, we are in a position to carry out the last phase, or “final attack”, to finally eradicate the disease throughout the country.
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