Bird flu outbreaks in sea lions and other species have spread to Monte Hermoso, they warn

They warned in the last hours that an outbreak of bird flu in sea lions and other species had spread to the South Grande area of ​​Monte Hermoso.

in conversation The new one. Natalia Sanchez, director of the science museum in the seaside resort, said they found “a sea lion and another pup, one dead and the other alive.”

According to Senasa Resolution No. 153/2021, avian influenza is a notifiable disease in Argentina and anyone who observes fatal, neurological, digestive and/or respiratory symptoms in wild or domestic poultry can notify the agency.

In this sense, Sanchez insists on advising those circulating in the area “to not approach animals at any time”: “The ideal is not to go to the beach with pets, because for example a dog – escapes from you, it will automatically Sniff out live or dead animals that have this flu, and that’s where the disease spreads.”

Also, he added, “if they’re taking animals to the beach, keep them on a leash, and if you see a dead bird or a sea lion, live or dead, don’t go near it because the disease is transmitted through animals. “respiratory tract. ”

Although this has not been confirmed, residents of Central Beach have confirmed that a dead penguin has also been present in the past few hours.

Last Friday, the National Service of Agro-Food Hygiene and Quality (Senasa) confirmed two new cases in marine mammals in Mar del Plata (Buenos Aires) and Puerto Piramides (Chubut). of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5 cases.

Senasa National Laboratory has diagnosed new disease-positive samples taken from sea lions (Otaria flavescens) that were found dead at the two sites.

To date, 7 notifications regarding sea lions have been processed, 3 of which have been negative; the remaining positive cases detected were in the Rio Grande, Rionegro, Necochea and Punta Loyo reported yesterday La (Santa Cruz) as well as in today’s case.

Senasa said in a statement that the findings come within the framework of nationwide surveillance operations and hygiene measures to prevent the disease after the HPAI declared a state of emergency.

Notably, from the day the National Health Service was notified of a suspected case, national health agencies met with municipal, provincial, and national agencies to communicate intervention options for these cases, coordinate health strategies and actions to contain the outbreak, and provide information to entities.

Furthermore, in the sampling programme, burial sites of suspected dead animals were identified together with local authorities to avoid any type of contamination or contagion from other animals or people.

Senasa also reported that recent test results in marine mammals do not affect the self-declared animal health status before the World Organization for Animal Health (WHO), and Argentina is considered free of HPAI in poultry.

Given the behavior of the disease and its mode of transmission and transmission, the agency will continue to maintain a state of vigilance in cooperation with different regions, as well as national, provincial and municipal organizations and production sectors, the agency said.

suggestion

Senasa advises “do not handle dead animals or animals with suspicious symptoms” and reminds producers, institutions and the public that they must report if high mortality, neurological, digestive and/or respiratory symptoms are observed in susceptible species of wild birds. Or commercial or backyard poultry.

It also advises not to travel to poultry farms or wildlife habitats after exposure to dead animals or symptoms.

The notification channel is the nearest Senasa office; phone number 11 5700 5704; the app “Senasa Notifications” for mobile devices, available on the Play Store; email notificaciones@senasa.gob.ar; and the Notifications Senasa section, available at found on its website. The Avian Influenza microsite contains more detailed information.