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The H5N1 avian flu spread through 16 Latin American countries and the first case of mass mortality of mammals by this pathogen was registered in Peru. According to the National Forest and Wildlife Service (Serfor), more than 3,000 sea lions and 120,000 wild birds have died since November.

Public domain Image/Marion & Christoph Aistleitner via wikimedia commons

Although avian influenza mainly affects domestic birds, the first cases of infected wild birds were registered in 2022 in Piura. Since then, the virus has traveled the entire Peruvian coast until it reached some areas in the south, such as Ancash. Therefore, it is estimated that the virus arrived through food, that is, from sick poultry.

In addition to sea lions and wild birds, the virus also affected species such as Humboldt penguins, dolphins, boobies, oystercatchers, pelicans, and guanayes. Likewise, the death of a lion in the Huancayo zoo was confirmed.

“The data we are having implies the mortality of many individuals categorized as threatened. First, there was the oil spill in the sea, which terribly affected our biodiversity, and now what we are experiencing with avian influenza is very dramatic,” said Lady Amaro, a specialist in coastal marine wildlife from Serfor.

In an interview for Actualidad Ambiental, she pointed out that enormous numbers of animals die every day and this causes alarm among the people who live on the beaches. In addition, the final disposition of the corpses is still controversial.

“For now, what is being done is to strengthen the capacity of the municipalities to prevent the transmission of the disease from wildlife to people. We are influencing a lot in the communication issue so that people avoid touching the animals when they go to the beaches but there are still those who try to save them or are unaware of the issue of avian influenza and do not believe that it can be transmitted to humans,” she explained.

According to the specialist, the remains of dead animals should be taken to a landfill in the healthiest way possible. Although not all municipalities have the tools and do not have the resources to keep the beaches clean.

As of February, Serfor’s Forestry and Wildlife Technical Administration (ATFFS) and the National Service for State-Protected Natural Areas (Sernanp) have recorded these figures regarding the mortality of wild birds:

• Peruvian booby (Sula variegata): 53 034
• Peruvian Pelican (Pelecanus thagus): 47,432
• Guanay (Leucocarbo bougainvillei):26 105

“In the case of the Peruvian pelican, we are concerned because in the last census, which was carried out in October of last year, there were 114,000 individuals. That is, 41% of the population has died. Boobies and guanayes also die in large numbers daily,” added the specialist.

Amaro stressed that avian flu outbreaks will remain throughout the year and monitoring must continue to verify the evolution of the virus. In addition, to take the necessary measures to maintain health on the beaches.

The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (FRLA) released a video of restaurant members and employees thanking Governor Ron DeSantis for supporting Florida restaurants by allowing them to remain open and safely operating.

“On behalf of that 10,000 members of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (FRLA), I want to thank Governor DeSantis for his support for our industry and the people we employ,” said Carol Dover, President and CEO of FRLA. “While other states go backwards, shutting down restaurants, putting people out of work, and crippling an already-devastated economy, Governor DeSantis promotes accountability and personal choice, and he recognizes that our teams have a right to safely operate and earn a living. Thank you, Governor DeSantis, for having the backs of more than 1.5 million Florida families who work in the greatest industry in Florida – hospitality.”

Last week at the Okeechobee Steak House in West Palm Beach, Governor DeSantis held a press conference where he discussed the unfair targeting of restaurants, the closure of restaurants in other states, and his promise to not shut down Florida restaurants as they try to recover from the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic this year.

Florida detectives are investigating the death of a toddler who was in foster care and about to be adopted. 17-month-old Aedyn Agminalis died last Sunday after being taken off life support and now the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office has opened a criminal investigation.

The boy suffered from bleeding on the brain, cardiac arrest and acute respiratory failure. Aedyn arrived at St. Joseph’s Hospital for Children unresponsive and with signs of head injuries, according to information given to his adoption agency by a social worker.

Artha Healton, Aedyn’s biological mother, spoke with the Tampa Bay Times, claiming that the small boy was hooked up to a life-support system but doctors could find no brain activity. Aedyn died after doctors turned off the machine.

The boy was living in a foster home licensed by A Door of Hope, a subcontractor for Eckerd Kids, a non-profit contracted by the county.

“The loss of this child is absolutely devastating and we’re grieving with all those who loved him,” DCF Secretary Mike Carroll told the Times.

Aedyn’s birth parents had signed adoption papers last month and he was set to be placed with a lesbian, married couple in North Carolina: Colleen Kochanek and Stephanie Norris.

“We will be doing everything we can to support the Hillsborough Sheriff’s Office investigation,” said Adrienne Drew, a spokeswoman for Eckerd.

The new family is seeking answers.

“This is so soul-crushing to us,” Kochanek told the paper. “He could have been in our care.”

“I was unable to hold him because he was hooked up to the life support,” Healton said. “I was able to hold his hand and touch him and tell him goodbye even though he couldn’t hear me.”