More than 100 people infected sea lion with one hair Authorities and experts have warned of contracting bird flu from exposure to infected migratory birds. They warn that “Risk of transmission to humans is low“, Although”never seen“Having such a severe impact on the species is because it’s a variant of the virus”highly pathogenic“.
Argentina declares bird flu-free after last commercial bird outbreak ends
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This is the first case registered in Argentina, a country where bird flu has shifted from birds to mammals, particularly South American sea lions. (Sophora flavescens).
Since the middle of this month, in the provinces of Tierra del Fuego, Santa Cruz, Chubut (Peninsula Valdes), Rionegro and Mar del Plata, Necoche in Buenos Aires More than 100 bodies have been found in towns such as Asia and Monte Hermoso. , Vera Gesell and Colonel Rosales. The city of Villarino is investigating more cases.
“This is a very aggressive strain and animals can infect each other very quickly with the first symptoms appearing immediatelywhich is mainly tremors, which can lead to convulsions,” he explained. Juan LorenzaniPresident of the Argentine Animals Foundation.
“I have worked with sea lions for many years and have never seen anything like this. This is very sad because they cannot be quarantined or vaccinated. We are facing a new fact of nature that unfortunately remains to be understood”, the expert added.
Lorenzani detailed cases of bird flu in sea lions that started in Peru and Chile last February, “health alert“Due to the high number of infected specimens. Like this mammal”Lack of adequate defense against such diseases“, the virus can have severe muscular, neurological and respiratory effects, which is in “Convulsions and disorienting movements recorded in infected specimens“, he added.
he virus A in its variant H5N1 What was present in the sea lions was a subtype of highly pathogenic avian influenza first recorded in wild birds in Peru in late 2022. In Argentina, the first avian cases occurred in February this year in the natural area of Lagunas de Pozuelos, Jujuy province.
“Due to its great versatility and adaptability, influenza has acquired many subtypes. Variants H5N1 It was first identified in birds in 1996, with specificities that persisted over time and began to incorporate genetic changes and spread widely around the world,” said a veterinarian who specializes in avian viruses. Ariel Vagnozzi.
“They are viruses capable of severely injuring animals, with a mortality rate of almost 100%“This poses a very big threat to agricultural production,” added the head of the Bird Laboratory of the Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences. INTA.
Although transmission from birds to mammals is possible”increased risk of infection’ For humans, experts agree”rarely seen“There is always a risk, but the probability is not high, because of its genetic characteristics, this risk is not common.” Apart from, When a virus jumps from a bird to a human, the human may not transmit it to another human unless the virus undergoes some adaptationVagnozzi explained.
According to reports National Food Health and Quality Service (Senasa), human contagion is recorded in “relatively small number of cases“Across the world, this corresponds to people who have been in close and prolonged contact with sick animals.
To date, no human-to-human transmission of avian influenza has been recorded.
“It doesn’t spread easily or frequently from one species to another, and when it does, it’s hard to adapt to.’,” Vagnozzi noted, adding, “If it adapts, that’s another problem, and that’s what happened to sea lions. The virus has undoubtedly adapted to sea lions today, which is why we’re seeing this mortality“.
Virus H5N1 It is transmitted by oral and respiratory routes and eliminated through secretions (saliva or mucus) and excretions (urine, feces). It can survive in the environment for a short period of time, which varies according to daily temperature fluctuations, humidity, solar radiation and wind.
“The only way humans can be infected is through direct contact with animalsThat’s why we ask people to take this issue seriously and take a responsibility not to approach animals coming out of the sea, whether they are alive or dead,” the department stressed.
Within this framework, the authorities of all affected coastal areas of the country ask people not to go to beaches where dead sea lions are present, especially not to bring pets with them. This is to ultimately prevent someone from being exposed to the virus through infected sea lions or birds.
In addition, the agency reminds producers, institutions, and the public that they must report if high mortality, neurological, digestive, and/or respiratory symptoms in susceptible species are found in wild birds or in commercial or backyard poultry.
Notices and complaints can be made at the nearest Senasa office by calling (011) 5700 5704; via the Senasa Notices app, available at app Store; Write to email notificaciones@senasa.gob.ar, or via the “Notifications to Senasa” section (available at Web page organic.
Letter of credit containing information from Télam agency