Whether bird flu spreads to humans or to more marine species, including for human consumption, and how it differs from the flu virus that caused the 2009 pandemic, are some of the questions experts have answered after documenting sea lion infections. First appeared in mammals in Argentina – with a highly pathogenic variant, the mortality rate reached almost 100%.
Since mid-August, in Tierra del Fuego, Santa Cruz, Chubut, Rionegro and Mar del Plata, Necochea, Monte Hermoso, Gesse in Buenos Aires Some 200 sea lions have been found dead in towns such as Villa delle and Colonel Rosales.
In consultation with Télam, Ariel Vagnozzi, a veterinarian specializing in avian viruses at the National Institute of Agricultural Technology (INTA), and biologists and researchers at Conicet and Diego Rodríguez, offer some keys to understanding this phenomenon.
What is bird flu?
“This is the name of a highly contagious disease produced by the influenza A virus. There are several subtypes within the genus,” Vagnozzi noted, including the H5N1 subtype registered in sea lions. “All variants of influenza A are found only in wild birds, which is why they are considered to be huge reservoirs of the virus and play a very important role in the global spread of the disease,” he added.
– Is it related to the H1N1 subtype of virus that caused the pandemic in 2009?
INTA experts said: “H1N1 is influenza A, which is the cause of the outbreak in humans. The two viruses are not related, and the H1N1 virus originated in pigs.”
– How did bird flu reach Argentine sea lions?
Rodriguez explained: “The virus arrived in South America last year via migratory birds. The first worst case occurred in Peru earlier this year. The virus mutated and infected sea lions, which also had a high mortality rate. He continued: “Due to the migration of animals, the virus spread south, and by the middle of the year, there were deaths in southern Chile, and a few weeks earlier, due to the interaction between the Pacific and Atlantic colonies, the virus had spread to southern Chile.” It is possible to reach Tierra del Fuego and up from there (to the coast of Argentina) in a few days. “
– What are the symptoms in an infected animal?
“Avian influenza is a respiratory disease, so of course it causes difficulty breathing and a lot of mucus. It also has effects on the nervous system, manifested by disorientation, lack of coordination and even immobility of the infected animal.” Rodriguez “It’s highly contagious and almost 100 percent fatal. Except for those animals that are immune-competent and have a low infection rate, there’s no outcome other than death,” Si added.
– Is it possible for the virus to spread to other species?
“One of the most relevant features of influenza viruses is their ability to evolve, making it possible to infect a variety of animal species. However, Vagnozzi emphasizes, “transmission from one species to another is usually infrequent, and when this occurs , a virus is not always able to spread like an epidemic because it needs to adapt to do that.”
Given the recent cases in mammals, are humans at greater risk?
“The possibility of avian influenza virus jumping to humans is possible, but very low. The fact that viral infection is found in mammals in nature may mean that the probability is increased. Approaching animals killed by influenza and handling them Will increase a little.” Possibility,” warns the veterinarian.
– Can sea lion infections be transmitted to marine species consumed by humans?
“Regarding fish, molluscs, crustaceans and other aquatic products, there have been no apparent bird flu infections so far,” Rodriguez said.
– Will the outbreak have an impact on the summer in the affected areas?
“Infections in Peru and Chile lasted about one and a half to two months. Here, the authorities in the affected areas hope that the outbreak will end by summer.”
- Suggestions from Senasa
The National Agri-Food Sanitation and Quality Service (Senasa) has issued a series of “preventive measures and recommendations” to the public in the face of sea lion deaths that may have been affected by bird flu in different parts of the Atlantic coast.
In developing their recommendations, they noted that because the virus is present in the secretions and excreta of sick or dead animals, they “remind institutions and the public not to approach dead animals or animals showing suspicious Notify NSA that “digestive and/or respiratory symptoms have been found in marine mammals or wild and domestic birds (primarily including ducks, hens, chicks, roosters, geese, turkeys). Therefore, Senasa cautioned, “In the presence of wildlife, such as sick or dead birds and sea lions, do not approach and avoid direct contact.” Since the purpose is “to avoid cross-contamination,” experts advise people not to go to sea lions Areas that appear lifeless or symptomatic. Additionally, “responsible management of pet owners by restricting their access to beaches with sick or dead animals” and “immediate notification of the presence of sick or dead wildlife” is in order.
“The samples used for laboratory diagnosis were done on animals that died of the disease or were sick and animals buried in the place (to avoid transmission of the virus) were animals that died of the disease,” Senasa added.