Five possible positive cases of bird flu have been detected in a local poultry flock in Grand Cayman, the Department of Agriculture has confirmed.
The DoA said the flock in question has been “humanely euthanised” and the area placed under quarantine restrictions.
Local poultry farmers are now being advised to “enhance on-farm biosecurity protocols and restrict access to their poultry facilities” as the department awaits results from further testing of the suspected affected flock.
The DoA, in a statement Tuesday afternoon, said, as at Monday, the suspected cases all came from one flock.
Further testing done
It explained that as part of its routine surveillance for the “possible introduction of Avian Influenza into the local poultry population,” its veterinary staff conduct preliminary rapid testing of all domestic poultry that have died of possible respiratory illnesses.
After initial and subsequent testing of additional birds in one flock, the possible positive cases were detected.
“Further samples have been collected in accordance with standard international guidelines for suspect cases of Avian Influenza and are being sent to an international reference laboratory in the United States for Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) testing. PCR testing is the globally accepted method for confirming the presence or absence of this viral disease,” the DoA said.
Testing, eradication of the flock in question and quarantine have been carried out “in accordance with the World Organization for Animal Health’s guidelines for eradication and management of Avian Influenza and to protect the local poultry population from the possible introduction and spread of this disease,” the DoA explained.
About Avian Influenza
The DoA pointed out that, according to the World Organization of Animal Health, transmission of avian flu from birds to humans is rare and sporadic and happens in a specific context.
However, “people who are in close and repeated contact with infected birds or heavily contaminated environments are at risk for acquiring Avian Influenza.”
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that Avian Influenza (or bird flu) is a disease of birds caused by infection with avian influenza A viruses.
“Infected birds shed bird flu virus in their saliva, mucous, and feces. People rarely get bird flu; however, human infections with bird flu viruses can happen if enough virus is inhaled or gets into a person’s mouth, eyes, or nose,” it said.
The CDC said signs and symptoms of bird flu virus infections in humans range from no symptoms or mild illness such as eye redness or mild flu-like upper respiratory symptoms to severe illness such as pneumonia requiring hospitalisation.
Other symptoms may include fever or feeling feverish, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches, fatigue, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, it added.
Less common signs and symptoms include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, or seizures.
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