(MACHINE TRANSLATED) There are already 2,740 specimens of common sea lions, Humboldt penguins, chungungos and 1 porpoise, which have stranded dead on the coasts of our country during the first quarter of 2023, mainly in the north.
The epidemiological situation of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) by H5 subtype of Eurasian lineage has continued to spread. There are 9 regions of the country that have registered marine fauna protected by the Fisheries and Aquaculture Law with positivity for avian influenza, with positive cases from Arica to Biobío.
To date, a total of 32 specimens of marine animals confirmed as HPAI-positive have been counted, corresponding to 2 chungungos, 25 sea lions, 4 Humboldt penguins and 1 spiny porpoise. Regarding this last case, it is a small cetacean that ran aground on March 27 on Las Islas de Atacama beach, and whose sampling result was positive for Avian Influenza, thus expanding to a new marine species affected by this contingency. It is worth mentioning that both in Peru and the United States, positivity had also been registered in small cetaceans.
However, the figures increase considerably if the marine animals stranded dead in these weeks are considered. In total, 1,960 specimens of sea lions, 769 Humboldt penguins, 10 chungungos and 1 porpoise are reported, stranded dead on the country’s coasts. The northern macrozone concentrates the highest mortality of these animals, with the region of Arica and Parinacota leading the ranking, followed by Atacama, Antofagasta, Tarapacá and Coquimbo.
“So far this year we have recorded a historic number of dead stranded marine animals, corresponding to 2,740 specimens. The total of these dead stranded animals in 2022 was 160, which shows that we are clearly facing an anomalous situation, registering 1,712% more strandings this year,” said Soledad Tapia, National Director of Sernapesca.
In the context of the Avian Influenza emergency, work has been reinforced with other entities such as the Presidential Delegations, Regional Governments, SAG, Seremías, Municipalities and others, in order to support an active surveillance plan throughout the coastline with the in order to reduce the risks of viral circulation of said disease, through the detection, testing and final disposal of affected animals.