Ministry holds two-day HPAI outbreak simulation exercise

With recent outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in the United States, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries and Rural Transformation held a two-day workshop and simulation exercise to strength their ability to deal with a potential outbreak of the disease here.

Chief veterinary officer Dr Kathian Hackshaw, while speaking at the opening ceremony last week at NEMO’s conference room, noted that the priority {{more}} action was revised during the 10th meeting held in Guadeloupe last year,following the emergence of this disease.

HPAI was identified as a top priority disease and Avian Disease working groups recommended that countries and territories maintain certain measures.

Among other things, the chief veterinarian disclosed that a database was created to indentify all commercial poultry farms, so that they can be isolated and quarantined in the event of a disease outbreak.

“We are trying to develop a contingency plan for surge capacity in diagnostic laboratories for HPI in case of an outbreak, develop cooperation with neighbouring countries with regard to neighbouring countries and share knowledge in order to guarantee mutual trust in countries,” the veterinarian added.

She stated that the simulation exercise would “focus on improving communication and coordination, resource planning, preparedness and response for the likely introduction for any contagious animal and in particular the avian influenza in St Vincent and the Grenadines.”

Also speaking at the opening ceremony on May 24, the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture’s (IICA) country representative Michael Dalton said that his institution is also holding activities across the region to strengthen capacity for the possibility of an outbreak.

Programmes such as the implementation of sanitary and phytosanitary measures, also known as the SPF measures, seek to protect humans, animal and plant life from certain health risks.

“The specific object of the SPF project is to increase production and training in agriculture and fisheries which meets international standards, while protecting animal, plant and human health and the environment.”

The project also seeks to sort out outdated legislative framework and fragmentation among agencies responsible for agricultural health and food safety.

The IICA country representative stated that this highly pathogenic avian influenza virus continues to seriously affect the poultry population in several regions in the world.

And a recent low pathogenic outbreak in Belize resulted in the loss of 50,000 layer birds and millions of layer eggs.

Dalton stated that in the Caribbean poultry meat is the most eaten meat and if there is to be an outbreak, there are serious implications on the socio-economic standing of the Caribbean.

“The socio-economic consequence of an avian influenza outbreak in the Caribbean could be serious and the impact on food and nutrition security could be grave.

“Advance planning and preparation at the national and region levels for animal health emergencies due to avian influenza viruses are recommended and are recognized as a core and important function of all national animal health services,” he added.

Some of the components of preparation would include: testing of response or contingency plans, training in the execution of the plan and the engagement of all stakeholders who would be called upon in an actual emergency.

And most importantly Dalton noted that while there has not been any reported cause of human beings infected by this disease, the potential for the disease to jump the species barrier cannot be ignored.

Dr David Castellan, a consultant for the workshop, noted that although the disease started on the other side of the world, the possibility of it infecting us is great.

“We are all interconnected more and more through the movement of disease pathogens…we see increasingly at least…a new emerging infectious disease… and we see many diseases that human beings now get and the majority of them are zoonotic…”

Also he noted that is extremely important to be prepared for such outbreaks.

“So, an effective emergency response to emergency diseases such as avian influenza involves a cyclical process that includes planning, preparedness, response and recovery,” Castellan said.

Chief agricultural officer Ashley Cain told participants that because of the consequence for human life, the disease should not be taken seriously.

“It means that those of us who are in the agricultural industry have a certain duty of care.”

He said that the workshop would ensure that the dynamics and management of the disease is understood and that we are in position to guide the kind of intervention and strategies that would be required to monitor and manage if and when these issues do occur.(CM)