The Galapagos National Park has indefinitely closed three visitor sites on two islands where dead seabirds were found, triggering an alert of a suspected avian flu outbreak. In response to this, the technical team of the Galapagos National Park Directorate (GNPD) and the Agency for the Control and Regulation of Biosecurity and Quarantine for Galapagos (ABG) are working on collecting samples and conducting laboratory analyses to determine the cause of death of the birds found.

In this context, the National Environmental Authority in the archipelago has activated biosecurity protocols to reduce the risk of virus spread. Among the initial actions, the closure of visitor sites where affected birds have been detected was ordered: Genovesa Island, Punta Pitt (San Cristobal), and Punta Suarez (Española Island).

Communication has been issued to tour operators and Naturalist Guides to strengthen the disinfection process of footwear and clothing when boarding and disembarking at other terrestrial visitor sites, continuously disinfecting outdoor common areas, and the dinghies used for passenger disembarkation.

The GNPD and the ABG maintain constant monitoring of the habitat and nesting areas of endemic bird populations such as Galapagos penguins and cormorants, and Naturalist Guides and tour operators have been requested to reinforce the observation and surveillance of wildlife behavior and report immediately to the established emergency hotline.

Finally, it has been arranged for a specialized team to collect the dead birds and proceed with the corresponding final disposal to prevent the spread of the virus, as established by the protocol.