National Fisheries Service provides advice following first case of avian influenza in a sealion
It is important to emphasize that if you come face to face with a bird or marine animal that is dead or shows signs of contagion, do not touch, move or handle it, and immediately report it to the authorities.
The national director of the National Fisheries Service (SERNAPESCA), Soledad Tapia Almonacid, confirmed a few days ago the first positive case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in a common sealion in Antofagasta. The diagnosis was confirmed by the Agricultural and Livestock Service (SAG) laboratory, the leading agency for this type of analysis in Chile. The case corresponds to the variant of the virus that has already been detected in wild birds in 11 of the country’s regions, and which is also present in countries such as Ecuador, Peru, Colombia, Venezuela, Argentina and Uruguay.
“We want to advise that the Agricultural and Livestock Service laboratory has officially notified us of the infection of a marine mammal with avian flu. This specimen beached due to sickness on El Huáscar Beach in the Antofagasta Region. It is an adult male, approximately 250 kilos, with respiratory problems. From analyses of rigorous examinations, it has been possible to verify a positive case of avian influenza,” stated the director of SERNAPESCA.
“We also have a case of a penguin affected by this flu in Antofagasta. We therefore call on the public not to handle beached marine animals, either alive or dead; do not feed them, keep your distance and immediately inform SERNAPESCA,” explained Soledad Tapia, SERNAPESCA national director.
SAG has been reinforcing surveillance and activating alert systems throughout the country for several months since positive cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) were detected in wild birds in the northern hemisphere.
This is the first case of a marine mammal affected by the virus in Chile. SERNAPESCA, the agency responsible for hydrobiological fauna, will therefore activate its special protocol for beached marine animals.
“This is part of a global problem. Both in the United States and in Peru, sealions affected by avian influenza have already been detected. We also have a case of a penguin affected by this flu in Antofagasta. We therefore call on the public not to handle beached marine animals, either alive or dead; do not feed them, keep your distance and immediately inform SERNAPESCA on 800 320 032,” stated Soledad Tapia.
Since the start of the HPAI emergency in Chile, the virus has been detected in 21 species of wild aquatic birds, with the pelican being the most affected.