Bird flu: Strict mechanism to remove dead sea lions from port area

infection Avian Influenza in the colony sea ​​lion The number of carcasses living between Mar del Plata and Necochea is decreasing, but the presence of floating carcasses in port working areas is common, as the National Agricultural Food Hygiene and Quality Service (Senasa) warns and measures have been taken Strict action was taken to extract the body.

The Puerto Mar del Plata Regional Alliance ensures daily inspections to provide adequate treatment to reported dead animals.

A few days ago, the ship “Pegasus” was surrounded by five animal carcasses. Two of the animals were very close to the place where the crew had to pass to reboard the ship, and emergency intervention had to be carried out.

To this end, boats, cranes and mechanical shovels were used for the final disposal of the remains in accordance with established protocols. Operators involved in these operations wear protective clothing from head to toe.

After this treatment, with the removal of sea ​​lion The specimens, which died from water mirrors inside the terminal and were likely infected, were buried away from the city to allow for proper treatment of the source of infection.

At present, the city’s pedestrians and vehicles are still restricted from entering the South Pier. The fishermen’s shoulder has reopened, but there are multiple warnings not to approach it. sea ​​lion And it was kept further away from where the animals usually rest than usual.

However, all sources consulted by MDZ stressed that “the port remains 100% operational and has never stopped functioning.”

Advice continues to be given that communities should avoid approaching these animals, whether they encounter them on beaches or near the port area. This also applies to pets.

More than 300 so far sea ​​lion

They die in record time, a period that coincides with a period when they migrate to calmer waters to breed, such as in Uruguay, where cases of the disease have been recorded.

The first case of infection was detected in the country on August 22, following similar cases in Chile and Peru, and so far the development and impact of the epidemic in these two countries have been similar. Experts believe the shock wave of infection has reached its peak among the specimens from the Buenos Aires coast.

For their part, their analysis of the floating bodies suggested a common premise: They had been dead for between 24 and 48 hours, which was a good sign. As sightings of animals dead or sporadic on the breakwaters of the central beaches become increasingly rare.

The Argentine Animal Foundation has opened a WhatsApp hotline in the city (2236854933) where you can report sea ​​lion Death or symptoms of infection Avian Influenza.

Additionally, they reported receiving information through the Argentina Animal Foundation Facebook page and Instagram profile of the same name.

At the same time, Senasa recalled that avian influenza is a notifiable disease in our country in accordance with resolution 153/2021.

Anyone can notify: in person at the nearest Senasa office by calling 11 5700 5704; through the Senasa Notifications app for mobile devices (available on the Play Store); by sending an email to notification@senasa .gob.ar or through the Notification Senasa section on its website.