No recorded case of HPAIV in Guyana to date – GLDA’s CEO

…says 3rd simulated virus outbreak slated for this year

Amid calls from the Committee of CARICOM Chief Veterinary Officers (CCCVO) to Caribbean Community (CARICOM) member states to intensify efforts to prevent entry of the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus (HPAIV) in the Region, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA), Dr Dwight Walrond, has highlighted that there has been no recorded case of this virus in Guyana to date.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA), Dr Dwight Walrond

During an interview with Guyana Times, Dr Walrond noted that while there have been recorded cases of the virus by external partners within the poultry sector, Guyana has, to date, not encountered any case of the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus (HPAIV).
“For the record, we have never had a reported case of HPAIV in Guyana; all right? So, it’s important that we establish that at the onset. What we have seen is external pressure of the disease on some of our collaborating partners in other countries. For example, the United States, which is a major contributor to our poultry industry, have been really up against it with that disease. (And) recently, we had cases recorded in Venezuela,” he explained.
The absence of this virus in Guyana, Dr. Walrond explained, is not a case of mere luck, but is a direct result of strategic initiatives rolled out by the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA) over the years. In fact, he revealed that the capabilities of the GLDA’s Epidemiology Unit have been significantly strengthened.
“We have been proactive in our approach towards preparing for HPAIV and other diseases of economic importance, and to that end, what we would have done is to strengthen our Epidemiology and Surveillance Department. So, you would see we have a presence at all official and unofficial ports of entry,” he stated.
“You would have seen reports from disgruntled passengers who are trying to illegally import some of these products, which we would have confiscated and incinerated following international best practices. Those (are) SOPs which guide us on how we destroy those products. Additionally, we have gone so far that we even have GPS coordinates for all the unofficial ports of entry, so we are monitoring continuously all of our ports,” Dr Walrond added.

A second simulated outbreak of the ‘bird flu’ disease was held in 2023

He has also highlighted that the GLDA continuously monitors farms. Sampling and testing are not only done for the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus (HPAIV), but also for several other common livestock diseases.
“Internally, what we have been doing is monitoring our farms: large-, medium- and small-scale operations. We have constantly been taking samples, testing at our facility, and I’m happy to report that we have the only, or one of maybe two or three in the Caribbean, an active Molecular Department within our Veterinary Services Laboratory, and we are continuously conducting tests for not just HPAIV, (but) other diseases of economic importance, like African Swine Fever,” he disclosed.
Dr Walrond revealed that the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA) also conducts surveillance for these diseases within the wildlife population. With these measures, Dr. Walrond highlighted, Guyana is currently leading the Caribbean region in data analysis for several diseases among the wildlife population.
“So, no other country within Caricom would have the kind of data that we have when it comes to sampling of wild birds and backyard flock,” Dr Walrond has asserted.
He disclosed that, in March of 2023, the GLDA conducted a second simulated outbreak of the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) – commonly known as ‘bird flu’. 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.
The CEO revealed that this activity is done every two years in keeping with the World Animal Health Organization (WAHO) guidelines. As such, he noted that the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA) would be moving to conduct its third simulation exercise this year.
“We don’t like to be in a reactive mode. Our approach is more strategic in nature, in keeping with what is recommended by the World Animal Health Organization. Every two years, countries should conduct field-based simulation exercise. And every year, they should have internal desktop operation to check the level of readiness of our staff and the system as it is. So, we did one in 2023; (and) in 2025, yes, we will be conducting another simulation exercise in keeping with international best practice and what we’ve been doing over the years,” Dr Walrond highlighted.
Upon completion of the simulated outbreak, GLDA and its partners would identify areas that require improvement in the way they respond to an outbreak of HPAIV and other zoonotic diseases.
Additionally, Dr. Walrond noted, simulation exercises are done for diseases such as African Swine Fever and Foot- and-Mouth Disease, among other ailments.

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, which can spread rapidly and result in high death rates in different species of birds.
Most influenza viruses circulating in birds are not zoonotic. However, some HPAI strains have the ability to infect humans, thereby 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 faeces.
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 faeces. Plucking or 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.