Mar del Plata warns of bird flu in sea lions

he National Produce Health and Quality Service (Senasa) comfirmed New case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5 detected Marine mammals of Mar del Plata (Buenos Aires) and Puerto Piramides (Chubut).

August 27, 2023. The Senasa National Laboratory has diagnosed new samples positive for the disease, taken from sea lions (Otaria flavescens) found dead at the aforementioned location.

To date, seven notifications have been received for sea lions, three of which have been negative; the remaining four detected positive cases are in the Rio Grande and South Atlantic Islands in the province of Tierra del Fuego, Antarctica, the first positive case for this species ; the incident recently confirmed in the Rio Negro Punta Bermeja Nature Reserve a few days ago; the last two in Necochea (Buenos Aires) and Punta Loyola (Santa Cruz) Cases yesterday and today.

These findings were made within the framework of surveillance operations and health measures implemented nationwide to prevent the disease following the declaration of the state of emergency by HPAI-Senasa Resolution No. 147/2023.

It is worth noting that from the date of notification of suspected cases by the National Health Service, national health organizations meet with municipal, provincial, and national agencies to communicate intervention plans for these cases, coordinate health strategies and outbreak control actions, and report to entities. Furthermore, in the sampling programme, burial sites of suspected dead animals were identified together with local authorities to avoid any type of contamination or contagion from other animals or people.

Likewise, Senasa said the recent test results in marine mammals do not affect the self-declared animal health status at the World Organization for Animal Health (WHO), where Argentina is considered free of HPAI in poultry.

In view of the behavior of the disease and its form of transmission and transmission, the National Health Service continues to maintain a state of vigilance in cooperation with different regions, as well as national, provincial and municipal organizations and production departments.

suggestion

Senasa advises against handling dead animals or animals showing suspicious symptoms. Likewise, producers, institutions, and the public are reminded that notification is mandatory if high mortality, neurological, digestive, and/or respiratory symptoms in susceptible species are found in wild birds or in commercial or backyard poultry.

It is also advised not to travel to poultry farms or wildlife habitats after exposure to dead or symptomatic animals.

notification channel

According to Senasa Resolution No. 153/2021, avian influenza is a notifiable disease in our country and anyone who notices dead, neurological, digestive and/or respiratory symptoms in wild or domestic poultry can notify the agency through the following channels:

Go in person to the nearest Senasa office and call the number 11 5700 5704; pass Mobile device application “Senasa Notifications”, available on the Play Store; write to email notificaciones@senasa.gob.ar or via the “Notify Senasa” section on their website. More information on the Avian Influenza microsite.

NMDQ – Source: argentina.gob.ar