Professionals from the National Produce Health and Quality Service (Senasa) investigate the deaths of dozens of wolves sailors in Necochea (Buenos Aires) and Puerto Loyola (Santa Cruz), It was confirmed that it was caused by new cases of bird flu.
Senasa National Director Ximena Meln determined the deaths of the animals were due to “New cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5” From “Migratory Birds of the Northern Hemisphere”.
Via a press release, the National Laboratory of Food Sanitation and Quality Services (Senasa) reported that they diagnosed “New positive samples for the disease were taken from dead sea lions (Otaria flavescens) in Puerto Quiquen, Necochea and Loyola”.
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Senasa National Animal Health Director Meln told Tlam “This is the same subtype of virus that is circulating in Argentina, which is a highly pathogenic effect, with birds being the most affected species. “
“We haven’t had the disease before, we got it in February this year from migratory birds from the northern hemisphere. There were many cases in various countries in Central America, and finally spread to Argentina, Chile and Bolivia. “the director added.
As of today, Senasa has received four notifications about sea lions: The first two were negative; the third was found in the Rio Grande in Antarctica, Tierra del Fuego and the South Atlantic Islands, the first positive case of the species; the fourth was recently found in the Onegro Punta Bermeja Nature Reserve is confirmed.
They sampled sea lions yesterday They were found dead in Mar del Plata, Buenos Aires and today in Puerto San Jurin in Santa Cruz. To determine whether it is related to a possible outbreak of bird flu.
After determining the death toll Due to highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), in local pinniped communities, They closed the sea wall south of Necochea.
The assumption of the agency responsible for animal health is that “Sea Lions Get Disease From Sick Wild Birds”, They release the virus through their feces.
“In the colony, there’s a lot of contact between the seabirds and between the marine mammals, and there’s droppings all over the place,” Mellne said.
For ordinary people, “It is recommended to avoid contact with birds and animals that appear sick and dead, There are no wild birds or marine mammals on the beach,” he said.
What is bird flu?
H5N1 influenza is a highly pathogenic strain of avian influenza virus. and was detected for the first time in humans Hongkong During 1997 Barnyard buds. “Avian influenza viruses and other zoonotic influenza viruses can infect humans.”, explains the World Health Organization (WHO).
Viruses of zoonotic origin include avian influenza with the following subtypes:
- Influenza A (H5N1)
- Influenza A (H7N9)
- Influenza A (H9N2)
besides swine flu virus It has the following subtypes:
“Waterfowl are the major natural reservoirs of most influenza A virus subtypes.. Most of these cause mild or asymptomatic infection in birds, with symptoms varying according to the nature of the virus involved,” the WHO added.
“Viruses that cause outbreaks in poultry but are not usually associated with severe disease are known as low pathogenicity avian influenza viruses,” he added.