Bird flu’s mortality increases in Uruguayan lake

Montevideo, Feb 22 (Prensa Latina) Mortality due to avian influenza is increasing among long-necked swans in the Garzon lake, so Uruguayan poultry health authorities are further monitoring in region.

In Uruguay, a health emergency is in force due to bird flu, so far detected in wild birds in the aforementioned lake, which borders between the departments of Rocha and Maldonado, northeast of this capital.

In statements to the Subrayado news program, the official of Poultry Health attached to the Ministry of Livestock, Agriculture and Fisheries (MGAP), Virginia Russi, pointed out that “swan mortality continues to rice” in this area.

She explained that monitoring is carefully watching how the disease could spread to other species. The risk exists, that is why we are eliminating the carcasses of the Garzon Lagoon to reduce the viral load and that other predatory animals of these birds could be infected, including mammals, such as foxes or skunks.

The disease has spread in the region and Uruguayan authorities are seeking cooperation with other nearby countries to implement a contingency plan, including the application of vaccines.