After dozens of sea lions died off the coast of Mar del Plata, the National Food Health and Quality Service (Senasa) confirmed the presence of bird flu in two samples, Orders the closure of pedestrian access to the South Breakwater in a precautionary manner.
“On Wednesday, two samples were taken at Escollera Sur. When registering positive cases, we requested the cooperation of the county government to set up a 3km health control zone. Surveillance is used to track down symptomatic birds,” explained Manuel Baldovino, Senasa’s regional director.
It is reported that they have received treatment Seven sea lion incidents across the countrythree were negative; the remaining four tested positive in the Rio Grande, Tierra del Fuego; Antarctica and the South Atlantic Islands; in the Punta Bermeja Nature Reserve in the Rio Negro; and in Necochea. ) and Punta Loyola (Santa Cruz).
The discovery of the positive cases came within the framework of surveillance operations and hygiene measures implemented throughout the country to prevent the disease.
Senasa reported that Bird flu recently detected in marine mammals does not affect animal health Argentina has self-declared to the World Organization for Animal Health (OMSA) that it recognizes the country as free of HPAI in poultry.
On Thursday, the agency confirmed that more than 40 sea lions had died from bird flu. Analysis of specimens recovered from the beach area around Keken Harbor indicated that the specimens died from an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5.
“Strongly urge not to enter the affected beach areas, avoiding these areas will help reduce the risk of contagion’, they pleaded with Senasa.
The official statement concluded: “Pending additional research, they explained the risks and asked that both humans and domestic animals not come close to the diseased specimen because “it is very dangerous and will facilitate its spread”.