Falkland Islands. – Thousands of albatrosses chicks found in the northwest Falkland Islands have died due to an outbreak of avian influenza during a health visit by an NGO in January, when they found that albatross mortality was high and, although smaller, But somewhere between the Rockhopper Penguin and the Pagalo Penguin.
In December 2023, highly pathogenic avian influenza was diagnosed for the first time in the Argentinian archipelago. Since then, an infected area has appeared and any visit has been prohibited. There will be a further review of the situation on March 28, at which time the situation will be assessed.
Given the situation, Dr Zoe Fowler, chief veterinarian at the Malvinas Ministry of Agriculture, who is responsible for monitoring this and other outbreaks in the islands, confirmed that we must learn to live with avian influenza. Be clear” how long, but be realistic and appropriate. “Biosecurity measures must be put in place to allow seabird populations to recover without causing disturbance or stress to them. Therefore, “we also do not know in advance when access to these areas will be open and when it will be closed. “
Other outbreaks have been detected on Sea Lion Island, which has been declared an infected area and is closed to unauthorized human travel. On the island, there is a severe mortality of gentoo penguin chicks (hundreds of them).
As for sea lions and elephant seals, unlike South Georgia, the Falkland Islands have so far recorded no cases of avian influenza symptoms among these mammal populations.
Dr Zoe Fowler also explained that there was sometimes confusion between the number of swab tests carried out and the published animal mortality rates. He explained that this is because six or seven batches of swab tests are carried out in suspected areas, and when one of them is positive, it is counted as one batch because it indicates the presence of influenza and does not require swab testing of the birds. by birds..
The chief veterinarian said some 43 batches of swab tests had been carried out since October, of which seven had come back positive and two were still pending.
In summary, members of the public must report cases of dead or sick birds, never touch them and notify the veterinary team after hours on 27336 or 55366.
“At the moment we are lucky that the outbreak is on a remote island, but we cannot rule out that other more accessible areas will eventually be affected by avian influenza.”