Bird flu: Faced with seal deaths, Chubut province steps up preventive measures

Dozens of baby elephant seals were found dead from bird flu on the coast of Ponta Delgada on the Valdés Peninsula in the northeastern tip of Chubut province. In this case, when positive cases continued to appear in sea lions, gulls and other animals endemic to coastal areas, they stepped up preventive measures to avoid contagion.

Although it was initially thought to be an outbreak of bird flu, Senasa confirmed hours later that samples taken from the dead animals tested positive for HPAI H5N, local outlet El Chubut reported.

The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) warned in a report that “elephant seal pup mortality during the breeding season has always remained below 1%, but this year’s mortality rate is as high as 56% to 74%.”

Regarding the Ponta Delgada image, they assure that it is “the first recorded death of this species in the south and the only continental species of its kind, in addition to representing the first mass death of elephant seals due to avian influenza.” world record”.

Fernando Bersano, Director of Wildlife and Flora of Chubut, said they had received “reports of cases of two wolves, as well as a large number of elephant seals, all breeding and weaning specimens that were severely affected.” Therefore, he added , “the situation for elephants is more complicated than that for wolves”, as the deaths of nearly 1,300 elephants were recorded, including 2,000 specimens from the herd.

This situation affects the entire province. On Wednesday, the commodore municipality of Rivadavia held a meeting to coordinate an operation aimed at removing animal carcasses from properties in the area, an effort that will be carried out jointly with the provincial government.

The meeting was attended by Gustavo Fita, Cabinet Coordination Secretary; Maximiliano López, head of the Infrastructure and Public Works Department; Daniel González, Undersecretary of the Environment; and Undersecretary of Health Headed by Gabriela Simunovic.

“The increase in sea lion deaths is further evidence that the virus is affecting other species such as gulls, terns, penguins and cormorants,” Gonzalez said.

“As a result of this situation, animal removal operations on the beaches will be intensified and surveys will be carried out more frequently along the coast, along with burials and crews removing dead birds,” he explained in a conversation with Télam. ..

When suspicious cases occur or when dead specimens are observed, it is recommended to maintain a distance of at least 15 meters, prevent pets from coming into contact with corpses or animals showing suspicious symptoms, and avoid contact with potentially contaminated surfaces. In addition, you must notify Senasa and the provincial authorities if any doubts arise.