The National Center for Animal Health (CENASA in Spanish), of the Ministry of Agriculture confirmed on February 7 the presence in Cuba, for the first time, of avian influenza, variant a(H5N1), specifically in captive wild birds located in the Havana Zoological Garden, on 26th Avenue, in the municipality of Plaza de la Revolución.
After a sudden increase in mortality in the birds at that center, specialists followed the protocols established for these cases and immediately contacted the health authorities. After examining samples taken from several carcasses, it was confirmed that the specimens were infected with the virus.
Avian influenza is widespread throughout the world. It is transmitted among birds through direct contact with a sick specimen, with surfaces and food contaminated with saliva, mucus or feces. In the Americas, it has been spread by migratory birds originating in North America, specifically Canada and the United States, which cross the region annually in two waves: north to south during autumn and winter, and south to north in summer and spring. The peak in the outbreaks of the disease occurred between the months of October to March.
According to Dr. Cristóbal Arredondo Alfonso, general director of CENASA, an increase in registered cases has been detected since 2021, resulting in the two most severe epidemic periods in the history of North America and Europe. In the United States, more than 40 million poultry have recently died or have been slaughtered to contain the spread of the disease in the space of a year, causing economic losses in the millions of dollars.
In Latin America, ten countries are currently affected: Mexico, Ecuador, Bolivia, Colombia, Chile, Venezuela, Honduras, Panama, Peru and now Cuba. This has unleashed a crisis at continental level, since poultry products are the most affordable protein in the region, as well as a means of sustenance for millions of people, either through backyard or mass farming, the specialist remarked.
"Two migratory corridors pass through our territory, which is why we receive large populations of these birds every year. They tend to concentrate in the country's water bodies (lakes, lagoons, dams) and wetlands, attracted by the climate and natural conditions". One place where the presence of these animals is common is, precisely, the Zoo on 26th Avenue, which explains why the disease spread to this site.
HOW DID AVIAN INFLUENZA REACH ZOO 26?
Dr. Pastor Alfonso, a specialist of the National Center for Agricultural Health (CENSA in Spanish), a collaborating institution of the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH), told Granma newspaper that this is a natural and inevitable process, since it is impossible to stop the flow of migratory birds on and within the island. In spite of this, and although the virus had never been detected in our country, there has been a National Emergency Plan in place since 2005, which includes constant control and monitoring of these populations and in the sites of greatest risk.
Thanks to the rapid and efficient application of the protocols, which include the slaughter of infested captive birds, sanitation of the site and, in the specific case of the Zoo, the quarantine of specimens close to the sources of infection, but which so far have not shown symptoms, the event is under control and does not compromise the national animal health situation.
The early detection of cases is evidence of the effective functioning of precautionary measures. The country's health would be highly compromised if the disease had entered the country and had not been detected until it suffered massive affectations, remarked Dr. Teresita Quesada, a CENASA specialist.
Normally, all birds close to those confirmed with the virus would be eliminated, but some of the Zoo's specimens are rare species, endangered or of low or unique presence in the country, so they are being preserved in isolation while they do not present symptoms.
A temporary working group is currently active in which the Ministries of Agriculture and Public Health, the Civil Defense, local governments, CENASA, CENSA and several laboratories are working together.
It is important to point out that, since the transmission was in captive wild birds and not in poultry, according to WOAH criteria, Cuba maintains its disease-free status.
WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF THE VIRUS SPREADS TO POULTRY?
The consequences of a spread in breeding centers would be disastrous, especially for the economy, said Yolanda Capdevila, epidemiological specialist at CENASA. "Although poultry is not massively raised in Cuba for meat consumption, it is raised for egg production. If the virus spreads in a production center, this would imply the slaughter of all birds in the place, whether they have symptoms or not, as well as the disposal of all postures and food. The economic losses would be very high, in addition to the fact that this would lead to an increase in egg prices, a product that is already expensive in the domestic market".
Due to these high risks, all poultry farms have increased the stringency of the biosecurity measures already in place. Among them are the placement of anti-bird nets, the passage of personnel through sanitary checkpoints before entering the rearing areas, the complete change of clothing and footwear to enter these areas, and constant surveillance and monitoring in the event of increased mortality or presence of respiratory symptoms in birds, as well as total control of the mobility of poultry within the island.
In this regard, Dr. Quesada explained that the most important measure and the only way to avoid contagion is to avoid any contact between poultry and wild birds. She also stated that the necessary measures to ensure this have been implemented throughout the country for years, and at this time they have been reinforced, due to the specific situation being faced.
CONSEQUENCES FOR HUMANS
The World Health Organization (WHO) describes the risk of avian influenza for humans as "negligible," with a low infection rate. Transmission of the disease to humans is not impossible, but statistics indicate that it is unlikely.
Workers in poultry farms are most likely to come into contact with the virus and transmit it to backyard poultry. So far, globally speaking, there is no health risk for the population that is not in close proximity to such places, whether they are farms or backyard and private houses.
WHAT TO DO WITH AN INFECTED ANIMAL?
If a sudden increase in mortality or presence of respiratory symptoms is detected in poultry or wild birds, they should not be touched and the nearest animal health centers or veterinary medicine institutes should be notified immediately. The contacts of these are available in the social networks or official sites of the Ministry of Agriculture and CENASA. If this option is not available, then the local government should be informed.
The trained authorities are responsible for the removal of the carcasses, as well as the slaughter of the rest of the birds at the affected site, always respecting the values of animal welfare, a quick and painless death. The carcasses of dead birds may not be disposed of on the streets or in water sources such as rivers or streams. Under no circumstances may the meat or postures of these sick animals be consumed, in accordance with the provisions of Law 148 on Food Sovereignty and Food and Nutritional Security, nor may they be used for religious rites.
Once the animal is infected or has been in contact with an infected animal, it must be slaughtered, since it is a rapidly mutating virus and there is no treatment nor vaccine.
The institutions request the population to avoid the transfer and trade of live birds, whether wild captive or breeding, without the proper permission of the veterinary authorities, as well as hunting, capture of wild birds, and the exhibition or sale of these at fairs and similar spaces.
Translated by ESTI
