Bird Flu Outbreak Kills Hundreds of Flamingos in Argentina, Possible to Infect Humans Through Saliva

The officials confirmed the bird flu outbreak killed 220 flamingos in north-western Argentina, which could also infect humans through saliva.

The dead birds were determined to be James's flamingo species, which lives at high altitudes in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, and Peru.

Bird Flu Outbreak Killed 220 Flamingos

VENEZUELA-CRIME-PRISON-FLAMINGOS-RESCUED — A Caribbean flamingo (Phoenicopterus ruber) is seen in an artificial pond at the Generalisimo Francisco de Miranda Park in Caracas on October 6, 2023. According to a park source, the rescued flamingos were moved to the Generalísimo Francisco de Miranda park after completing their quarantine at the Caricuao zoo. The birds, which were illegally introduced into the Tocoron prison, where a zoo with wild animals used to operate. The prison was like a town all unto itself, boasting the zoo, restaurants, a pool and so much more as the powerful Tren de Aragua gang ruled the roost, using the facility as a criminal operations centre. YURI CORTEZ/AFP via Getty Images

The H5N1 strain of the avian flu virus, bird flu, was currently dominating South America and could infect an entire flock of flamingos within days. The virus could spread to humans and other mammals through droppings and saliva.

Biodiversity official Anabella Ahumada said the tests reported that the dead birds were found in the north-western province of Catamarca, which tested positive for avian flu.

The lagoons in the area were also a habitat for two other species of flamingo. However, only James's flamingos appear to have been infected. The James's flamingo, also known as the puna flamingo, was categorized as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

More than 50 sea lions died due to a bird flu outbreak on Argentina's Atlantic coast in August, and earlier this year, thousands of sea lions were found dead in Chile and Peru.

The local authorities had put in place measures to contain the spread of the virus. They also advised the locals not to touch any dead animals around Argentina.

Bird Flu Outbreak

The H5N1 bird flu virus was first discovered in China in 1996. A new variant of that virus appeared and started spreading worldwide in 2021.

In February 2022, the virus infected chickens on poultry farms in the United States. Nearly 60 million poultry were affected, which was recognized as the deadliest bird flu outbreak in US history.

Nichola Hill, a virologist at the University of Massachusetts Boston, said, "It's never really been seen in this number of different wild species before."

Furthermore, the virus has also been infecting mammals, such as skunks, bears, seals, foxes, dolphins, and animals of other species. Hill said the virus could affect people, but cases were still rare. One person was infected as the person selected sick poultry.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned people that they should avoid contact with people who work in poultry and take precautions like wearing gloves and masks. Flamingos were considered flagship species for wetland conservation, and these birds are familiar to many people. They could draw attention to the broader plight of a habitat or ecosystem.

They were also keystone wetland species, enabling other animals to live in the same habitat. Flamingos' actions, movements, and behavior help create and shape features of an ecosystem for other species to thrive in.

The loss of the flamingos was a significant setback to biodiversity and the local ecosystem, where these birds play an essential role. The global community has been observing and hoping for the immediate containment of the outbreak and the preservation of the surviving flamingo population.