By Sue-Ann Wayow
TRINIDAD and Tobago is not yet directly affected by Avian Influenza (bird flu) but health officials are monitoring developments.
Recently, the United Kingdom authorities banned the purchase of free-range eggs in its efforts to curb the spread of the virus. Farms in the US have already been affected which could also lead to higher poultry and egg prices.
Last week, ABC News reported that nearly 12.6 million chickens and turkeys in at least eight states have been killed or will be destroyed soon.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention also said the cases in birds do not present an immediate public health concern and no human case of the Highly Pathogenic Asian Avian Influenza A (H5N1) Virus – the most common form of bird flu has yet been detected.
Health officials were asked about the issue during the Ministry of Health’s virtual Covid-19 update on Wednesday.
Epidemiologist Dr Avery Hinds responded, “It speaks to the wider sort of public health surveillance that happens, not just for Covid but for a range of pathogens that could have some sort of impact either on human health or on agriculture.
“At this point in time, that particular concern does not affect us directly but we do continue to monitor. We do continue to look at what is happening both with the WHO (World Health Organisation) and with the other agencies that monitor animal health alongside human health.”
