The road shoulder is already free for traffic, but the southern breakwater will still be restricted

Despite the decline in sea lion infections caused by avian influenza, Manuel Baldovino, director of the National Agricultural Food Hygiene and Quality Service (Senasa) Buenos Aires Regional Center South, detailed the plans for Restrictions implemented to protect sea lion populations.

“The upper part of the fishing bank has been opened and flows there continue to be controlled, the southern breakwater will be closed indefinitely as that is where the greatest number of sea lions are found. It is closed, but not to the operators as the port continues to operate normally,” Baldovino clarified in a conversation with Channel 8.

He also announced that “there are no infections in humans or pets nationwide.”

The expert also pointed out that more than 250 dead specimens have been recorded in the group of male specimens migrating between Mar del Plata and Necochea, “and they will soon start migrating for breeding purposes to Puerto Madryn and Uruguay. A number of infections were confirmed last week”.

“We are cooperating a lot with the authorities and neighbors who are following the advice not to approach symptomatic animals or their carcasses,” said officials from the national organization that works on a piecemeal basis in Puerto Madre and neighboring cities.

Characteristics of avian influenza

The A H5N1 virus that has been circulating around the world since 2022 is a subtype of highly pathogenic avian influenza. The first records in South America date back to Peru in late 2022, resulting in mass die-offs of wild birds and northern fur seals. from chile and peru. Argentina recorded its first bird case in February 2023.

Although HPAI viruses circulated widely among wild and domestic birds in many geographical areas and subsequently began to sea ​​lion

The few confirmed human cases are people who work on poultry farms affected by the disease and have very close and prolonged contact with sick animals. The virus is spread through the mouth and respiratory tract and is eliminated through secretions – saliva, mucus – and excreta – urine, feces -; it can survive in the environment for a limited time, depending on daily thermal oscillations, humidity, solar radiation, wind, etc., and for the beach we have to Plus the tide that does the “washing”. Viruses cannot survive in salt water,-ocean-.

It follows that coastal environments do not pose a risk to human health unless there is close contact with sick or recently deceased animals.

General advice to consider

– Avoid approaching the port colonies of Quican and Mar del Plata.

– Avoid direct contact with clinically symptomatic or dead sea lions due to the risk of transmission through sneezing, urine, feces, blood or other body fluids.

– Keep pets away from sea lions.

– Respect the preventive instructions of the Argentinian Navy Ministry and health authorities.

– Do not seek help from wildlife rehabilitation centers as sick specimens will not be removed to avoid infection from multiplying.

– If you see a neurologically symptomatic or dead sea lion in the coastal areas outside Quecon or Mar del Plata ports, please notify Senasa immediately: WhatsApp 11 5700 5704

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