In less than 15 days, an outbreak of bird flu affecting sea lion habitats across the country killed 10 percent of the marine mammals on the southern breakwater at the port of Mar del Plata.The data comes from daily surveys conducted by health authorities, which confirm 0223 So far, 70 sea lions have been killed by the virus.
As the medium was able to learn, of the total number of dead haired mammals, Fifty were found in the port near the colony, while the remaining 20 died on other beaches in the city. Given this situation, health authorities recommend continuing to take precautionary measures to prevent the spread of the virus to other species.
As far as he is concerned, Juan Lorenzani, Responsible Argentine Wildlife Fund The number of dead specimens was down this week, compared to the first record of 50 deaths reported. “It’s a daily job,” the expert said, stressing that there were also animals showing symptoms associated with bird flu and returning to the water after a week on the beach.
“We ask that precautions be maintained. People do not approach animals, andIf you go to the beach with your pet, keep it on a leash to keep them from getting close to the wolves,” he said.
Sea lion populations increase in Mar del Avocado in winter, Average 700 copies The one on the southern breakwater “goes as far as Necochea Beach, so maybe 600, 700 of them,” Lorenzani said
As a precaution, Port Alliance decides to close access to South Breakwater In order to avoid the spread of disease, the quarantine period of traditional fisherman’s banks was extended. In addition, the National Agri-Food Hygiene and Quality Service (Senasa) has issued an action plan for the discovery of dead or diseased marine specimens.
“Working groups were formed in Mar del Plata and Necochea, which included the port union authorities, National Food Health and Quality Service (Senasa), the Argentine Naval Province (PNA), and municipal environmental, civil defense, food science, health and scientific research institutions of the region, such as the National University of Mar del Plata, Conicet and the Quequén Aquatic Biological Station. NGOs such as the Argentinian Animals Foundation also collaborated, they said.”
In this context, a protocol was developed with local authorities for the deep burial of dead animals and the isolation of live animals found with flu-like symptoms to prevent the spread of the virus.
In the south, they restrict access to beaches
Decree issued by the municipality of Rio Negro Biedema Vehicles banned from accessing beaches for 14 days The sanctuary between El Condor Hot Springs and the Punta Bermeja Nature Reserve was discovered as a precaution in light of the discovery of more than a dozen dead sea lion specimens or with symptoms of bird flu, municipal sources reported today.
it’s about some 14 kilometers of coastline These beaches include El Pescadero, Bajada Erica, Bajada de Cailoto Beach, Central Beach, Intermediate Beach, Bajada el Faro, Bajada de Picoto, Espigón, Playa Bonita, Lobería, Bahía Rosas and Bahía Creek.
The mayor of Viedma, Pedro Pesati, was in charge of issuing Decree No. 892 and asked the provincial administration to “cooperate in developing measures to reduce the movement of people and livestock on the Atlantic coast belonging to the municipality of Ejido” in Viedma.
“And set up security fencing to restrict access and post alert notices at the entrances to designated beaches,” the community leader said.
The measure is related to the ongoing crisis for birds in the area, where a total of 53 sea lions have symptoms related to avian influenza, and in the area of Punta Bermeja, 23 specimens of single-haired sea lions were recently captured. Confirmed dead and one seal carcass.
In addition, staff from the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change are conducting autopsies on dead marine mammals and wild birds in the area with the aim of sequencing the virus and determining its behaviour.