Quito- The Ecuadorian Ministry of Environment today launched a surveillance program following the detection of an avian influenza outbreak in the Boca mangrove forest in Manabi province. The National Portfolio reports that they will continue to monitor the dead animals and collect samples while the agency’s biologists, veterinarians and other technicians work on the final disposition of the birds.
The organization announced through a statement that an inter-agency working group has been formed to address the issue, involving the Ministry of Health, agricultural associations, municipalities, regions and other entities.
Outbreaks of the disease were also detected on November 11 in the provinces of Guayas, Tungurahua and the El Moro Manglares Wildlife Refuge in the Galapagos Islands.
On Monday, the environmental agency reported that six thousand dead birds, mostly of the frigate colony species, had been found around the El Morro Wildlife Refuge.
There are 35,000 frigatebirds inhabiting here. Frigatebirds are an anchovy-shaped birds, also known as “rabihorcados”. They are considered to be the largest group of frigatebirds in the Pacific region of South America.
Visiting the frigate colony is one of El Morro’s main tourist activities, so the ministry restricted access to the area and ordered biosecurity protocols for ships and people working near the area.
(Source: Prensa Latina)