The Arequipa National Agrarian Health Service (Senasa) took a sample of nasal swab in a sea lion to determine if bird flu, which initially affected pelicans, is the cause of death of these mammals.
According to the Senasa specialist, Orlando Curie, the sample will be sent to Lima on Monday and the results will be known in 3 to 4 days. Previously no tests had been carried out on sea lions due to the lack of laboratories to process the sample.
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The Senasa report indicates that until yesterday there had been 12,825 animal deaths on the beaches of Islay, Camaná and Caravelí.
Species affected include pelicans, boobies, seagulls, penguins, guanay and sea lions.
Although the deaths of other species have increased, tests have not yet been carried out to determine the cause of death of these species, although it is presumed to be avian influenza.
NO CASES OF AVIAN FLU IN DOMESTIC BIRDS
Despite the rise in avian influenza, no positive case of the virus has been registered in domestic birds in the regionso the consumption of chicken meat is guaranteed.
The support of the municipalities for the burial of the bodies and the adequate information to the population have helped to avoid contagion.
From Serfor they urge the population not to have contact with sea lionsNo birds on the beaches or coves, for prevention.
- 9 thousand dead pelicans and buried in Areuipa because of bird flu.
