After a video surfaced in which a lifeless flamingo was seen The National Agricultural Food Hygiene and Quality Service (SENASA) of Lake Brava in the province of La Rioja has ordered the closure of tourism in the region to implement health measures. The measure prevents the entry of people and vehicles with the aim of studying and determining the cause of death of these species.
According to official sources, different efforts are underway in the region to determine whether it is avian influenza, which has been confirmed in Las Peñas, Catamarca province.
Finally, SENASA professionals advise “not to manipulate” these birds until a concrete diagnosis is available from a physical laboratory. Likewise, they detailed that only “trained and authorized personnel” should come into contact with the species as it is a zoonotic disease that is transmitted to humans through contact.
What is avian influenza
Avian influenza (AI) is a viral disease that affects poultry and wild birds and, occasionally, contacts.
People mainly contract avian influenza through direct contact with infected animals (live or dead) or their contaminated environment. The virus is spread to humans when the secretions or excreta of infected birds are inhaled or when the virus enters the mouth, nose or eyes. In turn, wild waterfowl are important hosts for influenza A viruses, and poultry populations may become infected through contact with wild birds.
Precaution
Avian influenza A is a notifiable disease caused by a virus that affects many birds but has never been seen in Argentina and is therefore considered exotic. Waterfowl, in particular, are considered important hosts for this virus.
Early detection and notification, immediate attention and biosecurity measures are the fundamental pillars of the prevention and containment strategy implemented by SENASA in long-term cooperation with the production sector and the entire community.