Health authorities in Chile report rabies in bat and food safety violations

Health authorities in Chile have reported two distinct sanitary concerns in different regions. In the Coquimbo Region, the Institute of Public Health (ISP) confirmed a new case of rabies in a bat found in the central sector of Ovalle. This marks the second confirmed case in the commune this year. Regional health officials stated that no human or pet contact was reported at the site of the discovery. To date this year, 10 out of 158 suspicious samples tested in the region have returned positive for rabies, all of which were bats.

In the Antofagasta Region, the Seremi de Salud ordered the closure of four food stalls at the Feria Modelo in Calama following an inspection that revealed severe sanitary deficiencies. Authorities seized and destroyed 200 kilograms of products, including improperly thawed meats, expired goods, and seafood stored alongside other meats, creating risks of cross-contamination. The establishments face ongoing prohibitions until they can prove all hygiene and storage issues have been corrected, and they are subject to potential fines.