Though Barbados and the Caribbean have been largely spared from the outbreak and spread of bird flu, a local senior scientist has warned outbreaks in other areas of the Americas appear to encircle the region.
Director of the Centre for Biosecurity at the University of the West Indies, Dr. Kirk Douglas says the spread of bird flu is increasing in North, Central and South America and it’s only a matter of time before more cases pop up in the Caribbean.
Surveillance of avian influenza in the Caribbean continues after cases were detected in birds at a zoo in Cuba.
Dr. Douglas recently attended a conference in Mexico on avian influenza to discuss the way forward and how countries can prevent, reduce and mitigate its spread in the Americas.
He told the Morning Report problems arise when it is eradicated, only to resurge again.
This scenario brings to the fore the issue of vaccination of poultry.
While there are other means for bird flu to enter a country, the presence of wild birds remain a major threat as they are linked to its spread.
Dr. Douglas adds illegal smuggling and trade, though not as prevalent in the Caribbean, is another area where such activity can presents risks.
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