At least 522 sea lions and sea lions have died from an outbreak of avian influenza on Brazil’s southern coast, the Rio Grande do Sul state government reported Wednesday.
“So far, 552 aquatic mammals have been found (dead) in different areas of the coast,” the Rio Grande do Sul state’s Secretariat of Agriculture and Livestock confirmed in a report sent to AFP.
In the small town of Santa Vitoria do Palma alone, 164 animals died on Friday.
Several sea lions have been sighted a few kilometers from the Uruguayan border, where recent reports of hundreds of sea lions and sea lion deaths have also been attributed to avian influenza.
“These notifications do not change the health status of the country and the country, and there are no risks from the consumption of meat and eggs,” the ministry’s statement said.
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Brazilian authorities reported that “from now on, samples will no longer be collected from animals of the same species in which the virus has been confirmed,” and only new species showing symptoms will be examined.
Although human transmission is uncommon, local residents are advised not to approach suspicious animals or birds.
In early October, the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock reported the country’s first outbreak of the disease among marine mammals, in Playa Casino, Rio Grande do Sul state.
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However, the Brazilian government said that as “commercial production has not been affected”, Brazil still enjoys the status of a “disease-free” country.
Peru, Chile and Argentina have also recorded deaths of their marine animals from the virus, which causes severe muscular, neurological and respiratory symptoms.
It is spread through the mouth and respiratory tract, and through secretions and excreta.
msi/apps/gm