The National Agricultural Food Sanitation and Quality Service (Senasa) confirmed on Monday the detection of new highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in marine mammals in Commodore Rivadavia and Radatili, Chubut province H5 cases.
The agency’s national laboratory diagnosed positive for the disease in new samples taken from sea lions found dead at the site.
To date, positive cases of the disease have been detected in the Rio Grande, Tierra del Fuego, Antarctica and the South Atlantic Islands; this is the first positive case of this species; the Punta Bermeja Natural Reserve in Río Negro; Necochea in Buenos Aires and Punta Loyola in Santa Cruz, Mar del Plata in Buenos Aires and Puerto Piramides in Chubut, Buenos Aires Claromeco and San Blas in Aires, San Antonio del Este in Rio Negro, Mayor Bulatovic Aires of Balneario in Buenos Aires, Santos Caleta Olivia in Ruz, Puerto Madryn in Chubut and Camarones in Rio Negro Grande, Camarone in Chubut and Desea in Santa Cruz Many ports, as well as cases this Monday.
These findings are reached within the framework of surveillance actions and health measures carried out nationwide to prevent the disease in accordance with the state of emergency declared by IAAP-Senasa Resolution 147/2023. It should be noted that from the date the National Health Service was notified of the suspected cases, the national health agency has been working with municipal, provincial and national agencies to implement intervention programs targeting these cases and coordinate health strategies and actions. Outbreak and provide information to entities.
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Furthermore, in the animal sampling programme, the burial sites of animals killed by the disease are identified together with local authorities to avoid any type of contamination or contagion from other animals or people.
The procedure means that if an animal shows symptoms or dies, Senasa must be notified so that it can approach the site to assess the situation. If applicable, take samples and send to laboratory. Then proceed to bury the dead animal.
In positive cases, we work with municipal and provincial governments to bury dead animals and track and monitor sick animals. Senasa clarified that there will be no sanitary sacrifice or euthanasia of wild animals.
Senasa also stressed that the recent detections in marine mammals do not affect the self-declared animal health status of Argentina before the World Organization for Animal Health (WHO) as a country considered free of highly pathogenic avian influenza in poultry.
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In view of the manifestations of the disease and the forms of its transmission and spread, national organizations continue to maintain a state of alert in cooperation with different regions, as well as national, provincial and municipal organizations and production authorities.
suggestion
Senasa recommends not handling dead animals or animals with suspicious symptoms. Likewise, producers, agencies and the public are reminded that notification must be made if high mortality, neurological, digestive and/or respiratory symptoms of susceptible species are detected in wild birds or commercial or backyard poultry.
It is also recommended not to travel to poultry farms or wildlife habitats after contact with dead animals or animals showing symptoms.
method to informe
According to Senasa Resolution No. 153/2021, avian influenza is a notifiable disease in our country and anyone who notices death, neurological, digestive and/or respiratory symptoms in wild or domestic birds can notify the agency through the following channels:
In person at the nearest Senasa office, by calling 11 5700 5704; through the Senasa Notifications app for mobile devices (available on the Play Store); by writing to email (email protected) or through their website Notifications on Senasa section. More information on the avian influenza microsite.