More than 500 marine mammals die from bird flu in Brazil

Brazilian authorities have blamed the deaths of at least 522 marine mammals on the country’s southern coast on bird flu. The dead seals and sea lions were discovered in several locations along the coast.

Several animals have been found near the border with Uruguay, where hundreds of seals and sea lions had recently died from bird flu, the agriculture agency in Rio Grande do Sul state announced on Wednesday (local time).

Brazil declared an animal health emergency in May due to bird flu and confirmed several cases in wild birds. A first outbreak of the disease among marine mammals in Rio Grande do Sul was reported last month. Peru, Chile and Argentina have also reported cases of bird flu in marine mammals.

Brazil, one of the world’s largest chicken exporters, has yet to record any cases in pet or commercial poultry farms.

The Rio Grande do Sul agricultural office said the recent cases do not change the health situation in the state or country. “Consuming poultry or eggs does not pose a risk,” the report said.

The bird flu pathogen H5N1 mainly affects birds, but can also be transmitted to mammals and is often fatal. The virus is not usually transmitted to humans, but there have been isolated cases. (sda/afp)