Chile - Mysterious death of hundreds of sea birds - H5N1 flu ruled out - June 2, 2023

[Treyfish]

"Something is happening in the sea": They rule out the main hypothesis about the massive death of birds

The presence of avian influenza in the specimens was ruled out, so a multisectoral meeting will be convened to see the steps to follow.
In recent days, almost a thousand dead birds have been found on the Coquimbo coastline, specifically between the Casino Enjoy sector and Changa beach.
Given the unusual fact, the SAG began an investigation to determine the cause of the massive death of the specimens, ruling out the presence of Avian Influenza, one of the first hypotheses that was considered.

"We have continued doing field work, we visit the places daily, mainly the coastal border of La Serena and Coquimbo to follow the protocol, we sample and send to our laboratory and await the results," they detailed about the work done.
Meanwhile, they added that "regarding what we obtained from this large number of dead birds, they all came out negative, so the cause of death in this case is not related to avian influence."
Finally, they indicated that for now they will convene an intersectoral meeting with CONAF, Sernapesca and municipalities to address the phenomenon.
"Something is happening in the sea and it must be the people with the greatest competence who manage to get to the cause of what is generating the excessive death of these birds, which are unusual episodes but no one guarantees that it will be the last that could happen again. this type, we hope that this is not the case," they concluded.


source: https://www.diarioeldia.cl/region/20...es-101650.html

[Treyfish]

Which is the reason? The mysterious death of almost a thousand birds on the coast of Coquimbo

After hundreds of deceased specimens scattered between the Casino sector and Changa beach were discovered, the Agricultural and Livestock Service revealed that their number has been rising.

Thursday, June 1, 2023 10:21


In this Tuesday's edition, Diario El Día reported the sighting of more than 400 dead birds in the coastal sector of Coquimbo.
Although it has not yet been confirmed whether the massive finding is a consequence of bird flu, the truth is that it worried the population. In fact, there were dozens of photographs published on social networks reporting the massive mortality of guanay specimens, whose bodies were scattered by the waves.

Faced with such a scenario, the Agricultural and Livestock Service (SAG) arrived at the place to initiate the corresponding studies and determine if the mortality was caused by the pathogen in question. At the same time, the birds were removed from the place.
However, their presence, which lasted for long hours, worried people who frequently circulate along the coastline due to the possibility of a health risk.
CORPSES ARE BURIED AT THE EL PANUL LANDFILL

Consulted by Diario El Día, the regional director of the SAG, Jorge Mautz, briefly stated that since last Friday, they have been operating in the field and responding to complaints of unusual stranding of the Guanay.
“We are close to 1,000 dead specimens. We collect their corpses and carry out their final disposal with biosafety protocols at the El Panul landfill. The samples taken were sent to Santiago, so we are waiting for their results to confirm whether or not it is avian influenza. Of course, the call that we carry out towards the population is not to be alarmed and not to approach deceased species or those that have strange behaviors, such as not being able to fly, lying down or having a wobbly attitude, ”he added.
RISK OF CONTAGION BY THE PATHOGEN

For the academic from the School of Veterinary Medicine of the University of the Americas, Miguel Guzmán, that the dead specimens have been on the beach is not a risk in itself.
“However, it becomes progressive as time goes by. The Agricultural and Livestock Service ensures that the collection is carried out as quickly as possible. Although a few hours passed, the birds were mostly at night, when there is less traffic of people and animals such as dogs, which could reduce the alleged transmission of the pathogen. But yes, there is always a danger associated with it, ”he added.
In this sense, the expert pointed out that despite the fact that the virus is transmitted between birds, some cases of infection have been observed in canines and humans.
"For example, if someone noticed that their pet bit or played with the carcasses, it would be best if they were looking at it and in the event of any behavioral or mood changes, take them to their veterinarian," he said.
COLLABORATION FROM THE MUNICIPALITY OF PORTEÑO

The director of the Environment of the Municipality of Coquimbo, Pedro Véliz, stated that it is up to them to collaborate and file complaints, but that the removal of the corpses is the responsibility of the SAG and the National Fisheries Service.
“However, we give people information about the risks and precautions they should take. At the same time, we provide support with some punctual sanitizations in places deemed convenient. We also collaborate with cranes to lift sea lions and transfer them to El Panul, ”he explained.


source: https://www.diarioeldia.cl/region/20...bo-101630.html