“In the absence of a legal or administrative instrument of provincial or national order stating otherwise, today, Thursday, we will be able to open beach access and work with organizations to advance prevention plans, control and awareness” Municipality of Viedma Public spaces, services and Environment Minister Gastón Gutiérrez told Télam.
In response to the health crisis affecting the fauna of the coastal area, the municipality of Viedma has erected a 14-day fence at the entrance to the beach with the aim of “protecting health and preventing possible transmission of the virus to humans”.
Gutiérrez explained that the beaches affected include those of El Cóndor, Bahía Rosas and Bahía Creek, Segunda Bajada El Faro, El Espigón, Playa Bonita and La Lobería.
The measure is implemented and coordinated by the Crisis Committee, composed of the Rio Negro Secretariat for Environment and Climate Change, the Environmental Health Area and the Epidemiology Coordination Unit of the Ministry of Health, the Municipality of Viedma, the Municipality of Senesa, the Argentine Navy Department and Rio Negro police.
In imposing the restrictions, authorities in Rio Negro stressed that “avian influenza is a potentially zoonotic disease, meaning that it can be transmitted from animals to humans”.
The virus is present in the excreta and secretions of birds and marine mammals, posing a risk to people who may come into contact with these animals or their body fluids.
Gutierrez pointed out that there are about 40 sea lion carcasses buried at the entrance to Viedma Beach, and there are about 260 sea lion specimens along the entire coast of the province.
“According to the National Health Security Agency, the bird remains are being swabbed and so far the results are negative for avian influenza, which means no other transmission vectors have been added in this case,” he said.
It is recommended that contact should be avoided in the presence of dead or recovering wildlife.