The first case of influenza A(H5N1) or avian influenza in a wild bird was reported by the National Directorate of Animal Health (Dinasa) of the Ministry of Agricultural Development (MIDA), a finding that led to the declaration of a health care for 90 calendar days throughout the national territory.

Preliminary data of the discovery revealed that it is a pelican found "dying" by scientists from the Smithsonian Institute for Tropical Research 34 kilometers from the island of Taboga, province of Panama.

Meanwhile, the Dinasa statement revealed that with the health alert they seek to prevent the flu from spreading in poultry and commercial farms, so among the measures that were taken is suspending vacations for all veterinarians and field technical staff during the duration of the measure.

Avian influenza, a highly contagious disease that affects both domestic and wild birds, so far this year has been detected in American countries such as Canada, the United States, Ecuador, Mexico, Venezuela, and Peru.