Following the approval at ExCo on Tuesday 12 December, the Falkland Islands Government will now be able to provide details on a support scheme designed specifically to mitigate the effects of site closures associated with the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), also known as bird flu, on tourism businesses, operators and employees until 31 March 2024.
Last month, October 2023, Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) was confirmed on Bird Island, South Georgia in the brown skua populations. Since then, a number of other cases of symptomatic birds and above baseline mortality have been reported to the Government of South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands (GSGSSI).
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) has been confirmed in brown skua populations on Bird Island, South Georgia. In response to the situation on Monday, the Government of South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands (GSGSSI) has introduced a comprehensive Management Plan and new regulations to further protect terrestrial habitats and the remarkable animals and plants found in those islands.
Some 3,000 Humboldt penguins have died as a consequence of the avian influenza so far in 2023, according to official reports from the Chilean Fisheries National Service, Sernapesca. The data covers the period from February to October 6th and includes the flu death of 21.819 animals, of which 2,917 Humboldt penguins.
Uruguay has admitted that some 400 sea lions have died and have been buried in two meters deep graves, taking into account very special sanitary conditions to avoid contagion of the H5 virus or avian flu.
Argentina's National Agrifood Health and Quality Service (Senasa) Monday confirmed three more cases of avian influenza had been detected in sea lions along the country's Atlantic Ocean coast.
Coast Guard and port authorities in the Argentine beach resort of Mar del Plata Saturday closed the South breakwater after the National Service of Agrifood Health and Quality (Senasa) confirmed two cases of the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5 in sea lions in the area where 4 dead specimens were found.
Uruguayan authorities Friday announced that the sanitary emergency decreed on Feb. 15 would be lifted for 60 days. Hence, the traditional Expo Prado fair starting in Montevideo on Sept. 8 will feature a poultry show, it was reported.
Paraguayan authorities Thursday decreed a nationwide animal sanitary emergency due to the spread of the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus, thus triggering the National Animal Health Emergency System (Sinaesa), it was announced in Asunción.
According to Paraguay's National Animal Health and Quality Service (Senacsa) President Dr. José Carlos Martin, there were already three confirmed outbreaks of avian influenza in the South American country's Chaco region by Sunday, while two others were still under investigation.