September 16, 2023
In November 2022, scientists began documenting coastal animal deaths Peruincluding dolphins, sea lions, snipe, pelicans and cormorants.
Since then, concerns have grown highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has spread globally. Historically, neither coastal ecosystems nor the poultry industry in South America have experienced outbreaks.
On September 7, research published in Nature Communications identified influenza A/H5N1 lineage 2.3.4.4b, which spread from Europe to North America in late 2021 and then to South America in 2022. Along the way, it destroyed wild birds and poultry farms.Scientists say their analysis supports Single introduction to 2.3.4.4b In October 2022, it may have arrived in Peru from North America through migratory bird migration. The virus then infected local seabirds that shared habitats with marine mammals.
Researchers are particularly concerned about the presence of mutations PB2 D701N in two sea lion samples and a human case reported in Chile, as this mutation is particularly associated with mammalian host adaptation and enhanced transmission.
The study took 69 samples from 28 animals; he found influenza A in 12 animals: a combined sample from one dolphin, four sea lions, five sea lions and six seabirds. The researchers identified HPAI A/H5N1 in 11 of 12 samples.
There are concerns that highly pathogenic avian influenza could spread to endangered species such as Andean condors, Humboldt penguins and sea otters, or to humans who share habitats with these species. After analyzing what is happening in Peru, the virus appears to be rapidly accumulating mutations, proving the need for a closer examination of what is happening.The situation demonstrates the urgent need for active local surveillance to control the outbreak and limit transmission to other species, including humans
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Local Risk Peru