“Avian Flu Outbreak in Chile: Thousands of Sea Lions, Penguins, and Otters Dead – Latest Updates and Information”

2023-05-29 00:57:00

Santiago de Chile, Chile | AFP | Thursday 25/05/2023 – Nearly 9,000 sea lions, penguins, otters and small cetaceans have died since the beginning of the year in Chile from avian flu which is hitting the country’s northern coast hard, the National Service announced on Thursday fishing and aquaculture (Sernapesca).

To date, 7,654 sea lions, 1,186 Humboldt penguins, an endangered species that nests only in Chile and Peru, 25 sea otters, 19 porpoises, 12 Chilean dolphins and a Chilean otter have died stranded on the coasts of the country. , specifies the Sernapesca in a press release.

The disease is present in 12 of the country’s 16 regions, she adds. The latest species affected is the Chilean otter, an example of which recently washed ashore in the region of Magallanes, the southernmost region.

“With the confirmation of a new species and a new region, active shoreline surveillance protocols are activated, coordinating the burial of stranded animals with the competent authorities, in order to avoid the spread of the virus”, a indicated the acting director of the Sernapesca, Esteban Donoso.

The northern coasts of Chile are the most affected. Last weekend, more than 227 sea lions and 45 Humboldt penguins were found dead on beaches in the Chañaral region.

At the end of March, Chile reported its first human case of bird flu in a 53-year-old man. Transmission to humans is rare and usually occurs through close contact with infected animals.

Chile has also detected the virus in wild birds.

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