With reports from the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) of an outbreak of Avian influenza or bird flu in the Caribbean, Jamaica’s vulnerability to the virus has heightened, giving reasonable cause for concern about the possible threat the virus could have on the island.

According to PAHO, Avian Influenza or ‘bird flu’ is “a virus primarily affecting birds and is caused by a virus of the Orthomyxoviridae family”. The virus causes illness in wild birds, poultry, and mammals rapidly and can lead to high death rates in different species of birds.

An epidemiological update on the disease from PAHO in May 2023 stated that agricultural authorities in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, United States of America, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela have detected outbreaks of HPAI A(H5N1) viruses in domestic birds, farm poultry and or wild birds, and in mammals.

The report further stated that the detection of the virus in 15 Latin American and Caribbean countries is a cause for concern because cases have never been recorded in these countries before.

Additionally, the World Health Organisation has expressed concerns that the outbreak of bird flu among mammals could help the virus spread more easily to humans.

With the virus now in Cuba, the virus is closer to Jamaican shores, and the country’s vulnerability to an outbreak is heightened.

No response from Jamaica’s agriculture ministry

Poultry or chicken is the commonest protein source in many Jamaican households. It is also a part of several dishes and is viewed as a cost-effective option for many, which means that a possible outbreak of bird flu on the island could have serious effects on the population’s diet.

Because of the effects that the virus can have on citizens, the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) advises that countries maintain and strengthen their surveillance systems, and biosecurity measures on farms and continue with the timely notification of Avian influenza outbreaks in both poultry and non-poultry species.

Previous reports from the Jamaican Government have indicated that there is no trace of bird flu on the island. However, there has been no update on Jamaica’s current stance as it relates to the virus, since reports of an outbreak in the Caribbean.

Despite being contacted multiple times by Our Today, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining Floyd Green has been unable to comment on the issue, provide an update or highlight steps being taken by Jamaica to keep the virus off the island.

Additionally, numerous calls to Dr Osbil Watson, chief veterinary officer in the agriculture ministry and World Organization of Animal Health delegate for Jamaica, went unanswered.

Is Jamaica adequately prepared to prevent the spread of the virus and, more importantly, is our poultry industry equipped to prevent a total wipe out?