According to Senasa, the flu outbreak started 199 days ago, with positive cases of sea lions starting on August 11 in the Rio Grande Fuego, then in the natural area of Punta Bermeja in the Rio Negro; Taloyola, Santa Cruz, last week they added cases in the Valdez peninsula in the province of Chubut, as well as Necochea and Mar del Plata in the province of Buenos Aires.
Samples taken from dead sea lions in Kaiken Harbor indicated that the deaths were caused by an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (IAA) H5, so steps must be taken to protect the area and bury the animals to avoid deaths. Acceleration of virus spread.
In Mar del Plata, samples of dead animals found last Friday in “the Escollera Sur area (where this species is more present) and in different areas of the Mar del Plata seaside” were sent to Senasa and confirmed. Positive case.
“For this reason, we have ordered the preventive closure of pedestrian access to Escollera Sur and have worked with the state to establish a 3-kilometer sanitation control zone to monitor the presence of symptomatic birds and prevent the spread of the disease. disease,” Senasa regional director Manuel Baldovino told Chubut radio station LU17.
The port alliance reports that “due to this situation, we have set up a workbench from Senasa, the Mar del Plata Regional Port Alliance, the Argentine Naval Department, the Eighth Sanitary District, the Civil Defense, the National University of Mar del Plata and the Argentine Fund for Animals Action guidelines will be agreed to progressively track the evolution of species communities in and around the South Breakwater.
The same working groups have been formed in different cities where such cases have arisen. They reported from Senasa that, from the day they were notified of the suspected cases, they met with “municipal, provincial and national agencies to communicate intervention options for these cases, coordinate outbreak control strategies and health actions, and provide information”. to the entity.
They stated that the findings were arrived at within the framework of the supervisory actions and health measures established by the resolution authorizing the State Security Service to take very technical administrative measures in accordance with the declared state of emergency and authorizing the employment of workplaces , non-emergency. – Personal services and/or third parties, purchase equipment and pay all necessary fees to handle the above tasks.
What is bird flu, what to report and how it spreads
“Avian Influenza A is a notifiable infectious disease caused by a virus that affects many birds, but has never been present in Argentina, which is why it is considered exotic. Waterfowl, in particular, are considered to be the virus An important repository of ,’ they reported from Senasa.
Early detection and notification, immediate attention, and biosecurity measures are fundamental pillars of prevention and containment strategies, which is why long-term cooperation of production sectors and entire communities is required.
What should be reported is wild bird mortality, particularly migratory, aquatic, marine and raptor mortality. There are also birds suffering from depression, incoordination, tremors, respiratory problems, diarrhea and facial edema. In the case of sea lions, they said that when a specimen showing signs of stress or death was observed, immediate notification was given and contact was avoided.
Non-contact is critical because human infections are primarily acquired through direct contact with infected animals or contaminated media, although they do not result in efficient human-to-human transmission of the virus.
To report a suspected case, please go to the nearest Senasa office in person or by calling 11 5700 5704; via the mobile device application “Senasa Notifications” available in the Play Store; write to email notificaciones@senasa.gob.ar or via the Notifications Senasa section on the agency website.