CHILE’s north coast is currently grappling with a severe avian flu outbreak, resulting in a significant loss of marine life.
The country’s fisheries service on Thursday reported that more than 7,600 sea lions, 1,186 Humboldt penguins, and dozens of otters, porpoises, and dolphins that were found dead across the country’s northern coast so far in 2023 due to the avian influenza outbreak.
This alarming situation has raised concerns for the conservation of endangered species, including the Humboldt penguin, which exclusively breeds in Chile and Peru.
The outbreak has affected 12 out of Chile’s 16 regions. In response, authorities have announced ‘surveillance protocols’ along the coast as well as the burial of animals that were killed to prevent the spread of bird flu.
Avian flu, or bird flu, is typically lethal for both wild and domesticated birds. Its transmission to mammals, including marine animals, is considered rare but has become increasingly prevalent during this global avian influenza outbreak.
This wave of avian flu outbreaks, one of the most severe in recorded history, has resulted in the culling of tens of millions of poultry worldwide and mass die-offs among wild birds. Disturbingly, the virus has also infected various mammals across multiple countries. Although human transmission of avian flu remains uncommon, Chile reported its first case of human infection in March, involving a 53-year-old man.
The outbreak has not been limited to Chile alone. Other South American countries, including Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Peru, have also reported cases. Sea lion populations have been particularly affected in these regions, adding to the growing concerns about the ecological impact of the outbreak.
Meanwhile, in Peru, aside from the 63,000 birds killed due to the virus, an unusual number of the death of sea lions was also reported.
According to the national service of natural protected areas, 716 dead sea lions in 7 protected natural areas of the coast were found dead since mid-January.
In Brazil, a nationwide “animal health emergency” was declared last week.
Under the measure, the agricultural ministry is seeking to prevent the virus’s spread to domesticated birds and commercial poultry operations.
The world organization for animal health, meanwhile, urged the international community to consider vaccinating birds against bird flu in order to prevent it from becoming a pandemic.
Efforts to combat the avian flu outbreak continue, but there is currently no specific treatment available for the disease. Authorities are working diligently to contain the spread of the virus and protect vulnerable wildlife populations.
And as the world grapples with the ongoing avian influenza crisis, experts and authorities are emphasizing the importance of monitoring and implementing stringent biosecurity measures to minimize the risk of cross-species transmission.
