Pelicans may have influenza

According to this statement on saturday..
some are speculating parasites, starvation or pollution..


Pelicans appear dead on the beaches of LimaSaturday May 5, 2012 | 7:00Address Environmental Health recommends that people of Lima and north of the country from going to the beaches where they found the birds. Also asked to avoid eating raw fish.

More than 10 pelicans were found dead on the beach La Encantada, Chorrillos. (David Vexelman)
The strange phenomenon of animals found dead on our coast arrived in Lima. Yesterday we found a sea lion in a state of putrefaction, together with over 10 pelicans and other birds on the beach La Encantada, in the district of Chorrillos.The body of the whale, five feet long, has red spots, similar to those dolphins were killed in the north.Julca Hermogenes, a worker who works 29 years ago in La Encantada, told Perú21 which is the first time that animals vary in this beach. "The Sea Wolf has killed more than a week and no authority has come to see. It is normal to see the birds die of old ladies, but not swept away by the sea, "he said.In response, the Department of Environmental Health (Digesa) of the Ministry of Health issued a health alert and recommended to the population from going to the beaches of both the capital and the northern departments, where they found dead animals.URGENT
Immediately, the regional directorates of Health de La Libertad, Lambayeque and Piura adopted the same measure in their jurisdictions, mainly for fear that the virus that killed more than 800 dolphins in the north to affect humans. Even recommended to avoid consumption of raw fish."We know what the agent is causing the death of these animals and, therefore, for prevention, avoid all contact with their bodies, and the consumption of raw fish. Also, (it is recommended that the population) to any symptoms that is not common, to attend a nearby health facility to be served, "said Luis Saavedra, director of Health of Piura.In La Libertad, the regional manager of Health, Henry Rebaza, reported to have arranged the placement of flags in the coastal areas where the animals were found dead, in order to prevent swimmers come to the contaminated areas.It also ordered that municipalities bury carcasses two meters below ground or incinerated in places far from the beaches. Finally, Rebaza reiterated the recommendation not to consume raw fish in districts where the birds died.At night, the head of the National Service of Agrarian Health (SENASA), Oscar Dominguez, said that after the analyzes performed to the dead pelicans on beaches in the north, ruled that the cause of death are the influenza virus influenza or Newcastle disease, which could be transmitted to humans. In this regard, the official called on the population to remain calm.He said the test results of animals that appeared in Lima will be known within 48 hours.INVESTIGATIONS CONTINUE In Lambayeque, to accelerate research to determine the exact cause of death of the pelicans and dolphins, they formed a multi-agency committee, comprising representatives of the National Service of Agrarian Health (SENASA), the Marine Institute Peru (IMARPE) of the Captain of Ports, as well as regional offices of Health, Production, Natural Resources and Environmental Management, among others, that will monitor the results and take appropriate action in areas affected.The Area Manager of Production of Lambayeque, Francisco Rojas, said they are aware of the results of samples taken both pelicans and dolphins. "We hope that within a week we have the results," he said.The official did not rule out the mass killing of these species could be a consequence of climate change and irresponsible fishing practices, as early indications are that seabirds perished from starvation due to the demise of the anchovy in the Peruvian sea.PLEASE NOTE- According to IMARPE, more than 800 dolphins died from a virus similar to distemper.- But not yet determined which virus attacked these mammals, due to decomposition of their bodies.- In the case of the pelicans, presumably killed by the scarcity of anchovies, due to the increase in sea temperature.  http://peru21.pe/2012/05/05/actualidad/aparecen-pelicanos-muertos-playas-lima-2022943