Authorities in Uruguay have reported the deaths of approximately 400 seals and sea lions along the country’s coastline, attributing the fatalities to an outbreak of bird flu. The situation is being closely monitored by multiple ministries in the country following the identification of the H5 bird flu virus in a sea lion found on a beach in Montevideo, where the River Plate meets the Atlantic Ocean.
The deceased animals have been discovered along the Atlantic coast as well as the river. To prevent the further spread of the virus, 350 of the animals have already been buried. Carmen Leizagoyen, the head of the fauna department at the environment ministry, confirmed that they consider bird flu to be the cause of the outbreak and stated that the disease is currently uncontrollable. The authorities are waiting for the animals to develop immunity, although there is no definite timeline for this.
Uruguay is home to an estimated population of 315,000 seals and sea lions. In light of the outbreak, Leizagoyen has urged beachgoers to avoid close contact with these animals in order to minimize the risk of contracting the virus. While human infections with bird flu are rare, they can occur.