Health crisis: More than 1,200 sea lions die from bird flu in Rio Negro

The province of Rio Negro is in a health crisis due to bird flu: more than 1,200 sea lions in a nature reserve have died of the disease. Pictures of dead animals have gone viral, causing panic.

According to the latest information from the Provincial Secretariat of Environment and Climate Change, 1,291 sea lions were killed on the coast, of which 801 were registered in nature reserves (ANP).

Despite the dip in the epidemiological curve in recent days, the Rio Negro government said the health crisis in the region continues because it is a “highly contagious” virus.

look: Sea lions infected with bird flu: more than 140 animals died due to the epidemic

Beaches near the Punta Bermeja reserve have been worst affected, while La Loberia Spa (one of the most visited beaches on the Camino de la Costa) is where the most dead sea lions have been spotted.

Gastón Gutiérrez, Minister of Services, Public Spaces and the Environment, stressed: “We are conducting long-term monitoring with the province’s Ministry of Environment, which is based on information provided by municipalities, the National Environment Agency and environmental defenders of protected areas. Report the situation.” Environment of the city of Viedma.

Neighbors and visitors are strictly advised not to approach or come into contact with potentially infected animals.

Residents of the most affected resorts have launched legal proceedings against the province’s Environment and Climate Change Minister Dina Migani, accusing him of possible breach of duty as a public official.