Avian influenza is claiming the lives of tens of thousands of seals and sea lions across the globe, disrupting marine ecosystems and leaving scientists searching for effective ways to curb the devastating virus.
The global bird flu outbreak that began in 2020 has led to the deaths of millions of domesticated birds and has spread to wildlife worldwide. While the virus is not currently considered a major threat to humans, its proliferation in farming operations and wild ecosystems has caused significant economic turmoil and environmental disruption.
Seals and sea lions in regions as distant as the U.S. state of Maine and Chile are proving to be particularly vulnerable to the disease. In the United States, the virus has been detected in seals on both the east and west coasts, resulting in the deaths of more than 300 seals in New England and several more in Washington state. The situation is even more dire in South America, where more than 20,000 sea lions have died in Chile and Peru, and thousands of elephant seals have perished in Argentina.
“Once the virus is in wildlife, it spreads like wildfire, as long as there are susceptible animals and species,” said Marcela Uhart, director of the Latin America program at the Karen C. Drayer Wildlife Health Center at the University of California, Davis. Uhart explained that while the virus can be controlled in domesticated animals, it spreads unchecked among wildlife and marine mammals, such as South America’s seals, which lacked prior exposure.
Scientists are still investigating how seals contracted bird flu, but it is most likely through contact with infected seabirds, Uhart noted. High mortality among South American marine mammals has been consistent since the virus arrived in late 2022. Additionally, birds in Peru and Chile have died by the hundreds of thousands from the virus during this period. The virus continues to spread and was detected in mainland Antarctica for the first time in February.
The deaths of seals and sea lions have significant repercussions for marine ecosystems, where these mammals serve as key predators near the top of the food chain. Seals help maintain ocean balance by preventing overpopulation of the fish species they prey upon. Their decline could disrupt these dynamics, leading to unforeseen consequences for the marine environment.
Scientists worldwide are diligently working to understand and mitigate the impact of avian influenza on marine mammals. However, without a clear solution in sight, the virus continues to pose a serious threat to global biodiversity and the health of oceanic ecosystems.
Reference(s):
Scientists look for solutions to bird flu epidemic in seal colonies
cgtn.com
