SÃO JOSÉ DO NORTE, Brazil - An unprecedented outbreak of bird flu in southern Brazil has led to the deaths of almost 1,000 seals and sea lions, according to authorities. The highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus, reported for the first time ever in the country earlier this year, has been spreading rapidly among marine mammals.

The state of Rio Grande do Sul, located in the southernmost region of Brazil, has confirmed a staggering 942 deaths of sea mammals as a result of HPAI infection. The alarming mortality rate has prompted authorities to take immediate action to prevent the virus from reaching commercial poultry flocks.

Oceanographer Silvina Botta from the Rio Grande Federal University (FURG) emphasized the urgency of burying or incinerating the carcasses to minimize the risk of contamination to humans and other animals. She noted that some sea mammals have displayed convulsions, indicating that the virus attacks their nervous system. As per government regulations, these animals have to be euthanized to spare them from a painful demise.

Since the initial report of HPAI in wild birds in May, Brazil's Agriculture Ministry has implemented preventive measures to prevent outbreaks on commercial poultry farms. Such outbreaks could potentially result in export bans on Brazil, the largest chicken exporter globally.

However, while farms have been protected, the virus has wreaked havoc within various animal populations. Alongside the sea mammals, outbreaks have been observed among seabirds, porpoises, and penguins found along the beaches. Samples from these animals have been collected by authorities, but no confirmed results have been obtained yet.

Botta revealed that the first cases of HPAI-related sea mammal deaths were detected in September in Rio Grande do Sul. The unusually high mortality rates caught the attention of scientists, leading to further investigation. Currently, three towns in the state continue to experience active outbreaks.

According to Botta, the contagion among sea mammals is believed to have originated in Peru, before spreading to other South American countries, including Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, and now Brazil.

Brazil's Agriculture Ministry has reported a total of 148 HPAI outbreaks in the country, primarily concentrated along the coast. In response, a health emergency has been declared to contain the disease. Nevertheless, the ministry states that the virus is not yet considered endemic within Brazil.

Avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu, has resulted in the culling of hundreds of millions of farm animals in Europe and the United States. Now, it has made a devastating impact on marine mammal populations in southern Brazil, posing a significant threat not only to wildlife but also to the country's poultry industry.