Cases of bird flu in sea lions

In a conversation with Red43, German Rezanowicz, Regional Coordinator for Animal Health at the Senasa Southern Patagonia Regional Center, advises the public on the occurrence of avian influenza cases in marine fauna.

“Cases were detected on some beaches near the city, initially presumptive and later laboratory confirmed as bird flu,” he said.

In this sense, he emphasizes, “a group of participants, including Senasa, triggers a process when an animal is stranded or dead and floats on the beach. What we do is try to make a diagnosis, and when it comes back positive We will continue to minimize the risk when we do. The animals or dead animals are then buried and people are advised not to transit through the place to avoid the spread of the virus.”

Animal health regional coordinators warned that people passing through areas with dead and infected animals could “unintentionally” carry the virus in their clothing or footwear and bring it into a home environment.

On the other hand, Senasa Regional Coordinator for Animal Health said that the coexistence of birds and sea lions is the main reason for the spread of bird flu.

“Let’s imagine that sea lions and birds live in a common place and their lifestyles are very close because the birds eat the debris left by the sea lions or around them. These animals are predators and if they With a walking gait, they can crawl on bird droppings, which have become contaminated, and if they find dead or sick birds, they eat them, and that’s our main source of infection,” he said.