Emergency assistance for early detection and prevention of avian influenza in the Caribbean

It is essential to remember that, at present, the H5N1 strain of avian influenza is a disease of birds and that it is not transmitted from person to person. Additionally, to date AI has not been identified in the Caribbean region or in the western hemisphere.
The H5N1 strain of avian influenza may enter Trinidad and Tobago by two means:

• Importation (legal or illegal) of poultry, unprocessed poultry products or other live birds that have been tainted by the virus.
• Migratory birds that are infected with, or are carriers of the virus.
As such the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Marine Resources has adopted preventative measures aimed drastically reducing the ability of the virus to enter the country and affect the nation’s poultry stocks. These measures can be categorised in the following manner:

1. Strengthening of the Animal Diseases and Importation Act
a) Ensuring closer co-operation between regulatory bodies to reduce smuggling of avian species
b) Revising outdated aspects of the Act eg fines

2. Increased Surveillance of Poultry Farms and Wild Birds to Facilitate Early Detection of AI
a) Investigation of all suspicious bird deaths for AI
b) Routine surveillance of commercial farms and hatcheries by Poultry Surveillance Unit
c) Collaboration between the MALMR and the Min. of Public Utilities and the Environment to monitor migratory birds
d) Strengthening of bio-security measures at the nation’s poultry farms

3. Monitoring of Live Bird Markets (Pluck Shops)

4. Strengthening of Trinidad and Tobago’s Existing AI Diagnostic Ability
a) Ensuring institutions such as the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory are able to test for AI and specifically the H5N1 strain of Avian Influenza
b) Ensuring the MALMR has the ability to test for AI in the field (AI quick tests)

5. Focusing on Outbreak Management
a) Preparation of an Emergency Poultry Disease Plan
b) Acquisition of protective gear to be used by frontline personnel such as the PSU.
c) Simulation tests of the Emergency Poultry Disease Plan

6. Public Education (Industry Related and General Public)
While the insidious nature of H5N1’s means of spread makes total preparation for its entry into the region impossible, the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Marine Resources, the Ministry of Health and, by extension, the Government of Trinidad and Tobago intend to ensure that the nation is as prepared as it can be to deal with the virus should it be identified in Trinidad and Tobago.
Information courtesy the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Marine Resources