Mass mortality event in South American sea lions (<i>Otaria flavescens</i>) correlated to highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 outbreak in Chile

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dc.contributor.authorUlloa, Mauricio
dc.contributor.authorFernandez, Antonio
dc.contributor.authorAriyama, Naomi
dc.contributor.authorColom-Rivero, Ana
dc.contributor.authorRivera, Carlos
dc.contributor.authorNunez, Paula
dc.contributor.authorSanhueza, Paola
dc.contributor.authorJohow, Magdalena
dc.contributor.authorAraya, Hugo
dc.contributor.authorTorres, Juan Carlos
dc.contributor.authorGomez, Paola
dc.contributor.authorMunoz, Gabriela
dc.contributor.authorAguero, Belen
dc.contributor.authorAlegria, Raul
dc.contributor.authorMedina, Rafael
dc.contributor.authorNeira, Victor
dc.contributor.authorSierra, Eva
dc.date.accessioned2025-01-20T17:15:43Z
dc.date.available2025-01-20T17:15:43Z
dc.date.issued2023
dc.description.abstractIn Chile, since January 2023, a sudden and pronounced increase in strandings and mortality has been observed among South American (SA) sea lions (Otaria flavescens), prompting significant concern. Simultaneously, an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 (HPAIV H5N1) in avian species has emerged since December 2022. To investigate the cause of this unexpected mortality, we conducted a comprehensive epidemiological and pathologic study. One hundred sixty-nine SA sea lions were sampled to ascertain their HPAIV H5N1 status, and long-term stranding trends from 2009 to 2023 were analyzed. In addition, two animals were necropsied. Remarkably, a significant surge in SA sea lion strandings was observed initiating in January 2023 and peaking in June 2023, with a count of 4,545 stranded and deceased animals. Notably, this surge in mortality correlates geographically with HPAIV outbreaks affecting wild birds. Among 168 sampled SA sea lions, 34 (20%) tested positive for Influenza A virus, and 21 confirmed for HPAIV H5N1 2.3.4.4b clade in tracheal/rectal swab pools. Clinical and pathological evaluations of the two necropsied stranded sea lions revealed prevalent neurological and respiratory signs, including disorientation, tremors, ataxia, and paralysis, as well as acute dyspnea, tachypnea, profuse nasal secretion, and abdominal breathing. The lesions identified in necropsied animals aligned with observed clinical signs. Detection of the virus via immunohistochemistry (IHC) and real-time PCR in the brain and lungs affirmed the findings. The findings provide evidence between the mass mortality occurrences in SA sea lions and HPAIV, strongly indicating a causal relationship. Further studies are needed to better understand the pathogenesis and transmission.
dc.fuente.origenWOS
dc.identifier.doi10.1080/01652176.2023.2265173
dc.identifier.eissn1875-5941
dc.identifier.issn0165-2176
dc.identifier.urihttps://doi.org/10.1080/01652176.2023.2265173
dc.identifier.urihttps://repositorio.uc.cl/handle/11534/91323
dc.identifier.wosidWOS:001166578200017
dc.issue.numero1
dc.language.isoen
dc.pagina.final18
dc.pagina.inicio18
dc.revistaVeterinary quarterly
dc.rightsacceso restringido
dc.subjectMortality
dc.subjectSouth American sea lions
dc.subjectstrandings
dc.subjecthighly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1
dc.subjectoutbreak
dc.subjectChile
dc.subject.ods03 Good Health and Well-being
dc.subject.odspa03 Salud y bienestar
dc.titleMass mortality event in South American sea lions (<i>Otaria flavescens</i>) correlated to highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 outbreak in Chile
dc.typeartículo
dc.volumen43
sipa.indexWOS
sipa.trazabilidadWOS;2025-01-12
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