“Avian Influenza Epidemic: Devastating Marine Wildlife in Chile”

Marine animals dying from avian influenza in Chile are on the rise. Urgent voices are rising in Chile that it is an unprecedented crisis. According to the Fisheries and Aquaculture Administration (SERNAPESCA), recently, stranded Chilean dolphins were found on beaches in the Maule and Nuble provinces of Chile. The Chilean dolphin (cephalorhynchus eutropia) is a species of dolphin that lives only in Chile.

Avian influenza virus has been detected in dolphins. Chilean authorities said, “So far, the number of marine animals confirmed to be infected with avian influenza has increased to 35, including two Chilean dolphins, two Burmeister dolphins, two sea otters, 25 sea lions, and four Humboldt penguins.” It was announced on the 20th (local time).

However, thousands of marine animals have already died from avian influenza. An official from the Fisheries and Farming Administration said, “Just because dead marine animals have been found, not all of them are subjected to detailed inspections.” said.

According to the official statistics of the Fisheries and Aquaculture Administration, this explanation is neither exaggerated nor exaggerated. In Chile this year, 4347 marine animals died. Compared to last year, the mortality of marine animals increased by 2,415%. The cause is an avian influenza epidemic.

The sea lions suffered the most, with more than 3,500 dead. The Fisheries and Aquaculture Administration said, “It is now easy to see dead and decaying sea lion corpses on beaches across the country.” It was on February 16 that it was officially confirmed for the first time that a sea lion, a mammal, died of avian influenza in Chile. In just two and a half months, the sea lions were killed in droves.

The Fisheries and Aquaculture Administration said, “A maximum of 600 sea lions are found dead every week.” Some people are worried that “Isn’t it a mutant virus that spreads between mammals?” Concerns are also growing that avian influenza may cause the extinction of certain marine animals. The Humboldt penguin, which lives in Chile, is the most worrisome case.

The Humboldt penguin is a medium-sized penguin about 65 cm tall that lives in South America from southern Peru to northern Chile. So far, 933 Humboldt penguins have died from avian influenza in Chile. The Humboldt penguin population in Chile is about 11,000.

An official from the animal protection authority said, “One out of 10 Humboldt penguins living in Chile died from avian influenza. Meanwhile, on the 29th of last month, the Chilean Ministry of Health officially confirmed that a 53-year-old man was infected with avian influenza. It was the first case of human infection with avian influenza in Chile.

Son Yeong-sik Correspondent for South America voniss@naver.com