The Ministry of Health of Chile has reported a single case of avian influenza in a 53-year-old man.  According to the March 29th posting on ProMED Mail, the patient is undergoing treatment, and is in stable condition.  An investigation is in progress to determine the source of infection and also the status of contacts. 

The Ministry of Health urges all poultry workers to follow common-sense precautions and to be vaccinated against seasonal influenza. People were warned not to handle dead or dying wild birds or marine mammals that have been infected with H5N1 in large numbers.