SpaceWar.com - Your World At War
Bird flu kills more than 500 marine mammals in Brazil
Brasília, Oct 25 (AFP) Oct 25, 2023
At least 522 seals and sea lions have been found dead along the coast of southern Brazil, authorities said Wednesday, blaming the die-off on avian flu.

Brazil declared an animal health emergency over avian flu in May after confirming multiple cases in wild birds, and reported its first outbreak of the disease among marine mammals last month in the state of Rio Grande do Sul.

The country, the world's biggest chicken exporter, has not reported any cases in domesticated birds or commercial poultry operations.

The Rio Grande do Sul agriculture department said the dead seals and sea lions had been found at various points along its coast.

Several of the animals were found near Brazil's border with Uruguay, which also recently reported hundreds of seals and sea lions killed by avian flu.

Peru, Chile and Argentina have also reported cases in marine animals.

Brazil remains classified as free of avian flu, as no cases have been detected in commercial poultry operations, according to the government.

The country supplies around 35 percent of all poultry on the international market.

"The notifications do not change the health situation in the state or the country, and there is no risk from consuming poultry or eggs," the Rio Grande do Sul agriculture department said in a statement.

There is no treatment for avian flu, which is often deadly in animals.

Avian influenza viruses do not typically infect humans, although there have been rare cases.


ADVERTISEMENT




Space News from SpaceDaily.com
Bearings Used in Space Technologies: Engineering for the Final Frontier
Orbex advances as UK contender in ESA launcher competition
K2 Space validates satellite systems in orbit and fires record-breaking thruster

24/7 Energy News Coverage
Ultrasound triggers nuclear decay anomaly hinting at flexible space-time
AI system accelerates aircraft concept design using language models
Autonomous sub explores unexplored trench depths to reveal critical mineral clues

Military Space News, Nuclear Weapons, Missile Defense
PLD Space selected as leading contender for ESA sovereign launch initiative
UK opens competitive bid for GBP 75 million orbital cleanup mission
Boeing wins major contract to deliver new generation strategic comms satellites

24/7 News Coverage
UK thermal satellite firm wins ESA contract to deliver real time climate and security insights
Glacier retreat could drive a surge in volcanic eruptions worldwide
Beyond male dominance in primates new study redefines gender power roles



All rights reserved. Copyright Agence France-Presse. Sections of the information displayed on this page (dispatches, photographs, logos) are protected by intellectual property rights owned by Agence France-Presse. As a consequence, you may not copy, reproduce, modify, transmit, publish, display or in any way commercially exploit any of the content of this section without the prior written consent of Agence France-Presse.