Chief Vet calls on Caricom to step up efforts to combat spread of highly pathogenic Avian Influenza

The Committee of CARICOM Chief Veterinary Officers (CCCVO) has advised Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Member States to intensify efforts to prevent the entry of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus (HPAIV) in the Region.
The HPAIV, a subtype of ‘bird flu’, causes serious illness that can spread rapidly and result in high death rates in different species of birds, according to the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO). The most common way for the virus to enter a territory is through migratory wild birds, PAHO said. Recently, the number of cases in non-avian species has risen.
Late last month, a risk analysis sub-committee of the CCCVO met and made recommendations to CARICOM Member States, including a review and update of national HPAIV emergency plans and an intensification of surveillance and early detection mechanism and activities.

The Committee also wants Member States to improve collaboration on diagnostics, increase data-sharing to improve regional readiness and mitigate the risk of the disease entering through live animal importation. It has advised that there should be an intensification of regional coordination among development partners and the utilisation of a ‘One Health’ approach among regional public health agencies.
Meanwhile, in Guyana, the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA) has been actively working to access the country’s preparedness to manage an outbreak of the ‘bird flu’.
In March of 2023 the GLDA conducted a second simulated outbreak of the Highly Pathogenicity Avian Influenza (HPAI) – commonly known as ‘bird flu’ at an Agriculture Extension Centre in Kuru Kururu.
The three-day simulation exercise was done to evaluate the national One Health collaboration, and Guyana’s preparedness to manage an outbreak of the ‘bird flu’ and other zoonotic diseases.
Upon completion of the simulated outbreak, GLDA and its partners identified areas that require improvements in the way they respond to an outbreak of HPAI and other zoonotic diseases.

Avian Influenza
Avian Influenza, also known as ‘bird flu’, is a disease primarily affecting birds and is caused by a virus of the Orthomyxoviridae family.
According to its subtype, it may be classified as high or low pathogenicity, presenting different symptoms in infected birds. The Low Pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus (LPAIV) can cause a mild illness, often unnoticed or without any symptoms. The Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus (HPAIV) caused by subtypes (H5 and H7) of type A, causes serious illness in birds that can spread rapidly, resulting in high death rates in different species of birds.
Most of the influenza viruses circulating in birds are not zoonotic. However, some HPAI strains have the ability to infect humans, posing a threat to public health. The main risk factor is the direct or indirect exposure to infected animals or environments and surfaces contaminated by feces.
The most common way for the virus to enter a territory is through migratory wild birds. The main risk factor for transmission from birds to humans is direct or indirect contact with infected animals or with environments and surfaces contaminated by feces. Plucking, handling infected poultry carcasses, and preparing poultry for consumption, especially in domestic settings, may also be risk factors.
When avian influenza is transmitted to humans, symptoms in people can range from mild upper respiratory tract infection (fever and cough) to severe pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome (difficulty breathing), shock, and in a worst-case scenario death.