On Mela beach, Trehuaco commune in Itata Province, the first contagion of a marine animal positive for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (IAAP) was confirmed in Ñuble. It is a Chilean dolphin, also known as the black tonina, which is an endemic species to our country, that is, it is a small cetacean that transits almost exclusively on the coasts of Chile.
“This is the first specimen that tests positive for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in our region, it was found on the coast of the Itata Province and, as has happened in the other 9 regions of the country that have a presence of this disease in marine fauna , we have activated all the protocols for active surveillance of the coastline, and we are in coordination with public services such as SENAPRED, the Presidential Regional Delegation, the Agricultural and Livestock Service, the municipality, the Seremías and the Maritime Authority, in order to timely attend the strandings that are occurring in the context of this emergency,” said René Vega, regional director of Sernapesca Ñuble.
Regarding the figures for strandings between the months of March and so far in April 2023 in the region, Sernapesca Ñuble, counts 27 dead stranded sea lions, which, according to what the institution indicates, are not associated with the islets. Lobería and Lobería Iglesia de Piedra in the commune of Cobquecura, since they are specimens that have been found in the center-south sector of the region, said René Vega.
The service reiterated the emphatic call to people who are on the coastline not to touch or handle marine animals stranded alive or dead, keep their distance and report to 800 320 032.
