Health Ministry continues to monitor bird flu

  • Nov, Mon, 2024

Senior Reporter

kay-marie.fletcher@guardian.co.tt

The Ministry of Health (MoH) says it continues to monitor the spread of Avian Influenza A (HSN1), also known as the bird flu virus. The virus, which now affects humans, has raised serious concerns among health officials across the world after multiple farmworkers in the United States were infected earlier this month. All of the reported cases have been described as mild, and each person is believed to have contracted the illness from infected livestock or poultry.

Locally, the MoH has not reported any cases this year, but it did confirm that it can test for the virus.

When Guardian Media reached out to Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh for an update on the virus, the minister forwarded this response.

“The Ministry of Health is closely monitoring the recent international cases of Avian Influenza A (H5N1) in line with the World Health Organization’s guidance. While the WHO has to date assessed the risk to the general public as low, the MOH remains vigilant. As is customary with all new viruses, the ministry continues to undertake its surveillance testing to detect any potential cases and to proactively protect public health.

Focal points from the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries, are in regular communication, and there is enhanced vigilance for both animal and human surveillance for clusters of unusual illnesses in poultry, or livestock, or in persons in contact with the above-mentioned sources.

“As is customary with all new viruses, the ministry continues to undertake its surveillance testing to detect any potential cases and to proactively protect public health. The Public Health Laboratory Network, through its reference laboratories, has the capacity to identify influenza A H5 subtypes and would refer cases for further subtyping, as needed.”

There are no specific vaccines for the virus infection in humans, according to the MoH.

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