Avian Influenza (H5N1) and its Implications for the region

by Kevon Browne

St. Kitts and Nevis (WINN)—The recent press conference conducted by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has highlighted the growing concerns surrounding Avian Influenza H5N1 and its potential spread in the region, including St. Kitts and Nevis.

Dr Andrea Vicari, head of the Infectious Threats Unit at PAHO, discussed the rising incidences of H5N1 among poultry and its ramifications for human health.

In 2024, the Americas have witnessed a significant uptick in human infections, with 58 cases reported in the United States and one in Canada. This considerable rise has raised alarms about the virus’s potential implications for public health and agriculture.

Concern over transmission risks has intensified as instances of H5N1 have been documented in dairy cows. This highlights an unexpected vulnerability in this sector and raises concerns about the viability of dairy production and export.

“We’ve seen how avian influenza has spread in the Americas the last few years. So, this virus, AH5N1, has spread, as we have seen, with migratory birds throughout the whole continent. And this has caused infections also in these birds or poultry in the farms and in other producers. So, besides this spread throughout the whole continent, we have seen also what is a spillover spread in other species as well, especially in mammals. Up to 50 species have been reported of mammals that have been affected as well by this spread.”

Dr Barbosa continued, “And, of course, we see what is happening also in our dairy cows in the U.S. We see this manifestation of what is going on, which basically is happening throughout the whole continent. We have seen also marine mammals in Peru, Chile, and Argentina that have also been affected in great numbers. So, the specificity perhaps of this transmission in dairy cows is essentially that these dairy cows had not been acknowledged before as a species that was susceptible to influenza virus A. So, they were susceptible to D specifically, but not influenza A. So, this is basically one of these species of mammals, as we said before, that are being affected. And obviously, we have seen that this transmission happens through direct contact within the cattle and also due to workers in the sector also, which may be an instrument due to this environment that we see in these production farms.”

In her statements, Dr Vicari underscored the importance of safeguarding farm workers—those at higher risk of exposure to infected animals—by ensuring proper protective measures are in place.

PAHO has reiterated the necessity of heightened surveillance and genomic characterisation to monitor the virus’s evolution and potential adaptation to humans.

The organisation has called for intersectoral collaboration among the health, veterinary, and environmental sectors to ensure early detection and a coordinated response during an outbreak.

Given the tourism-driven economy of St. Kitts and Nevis, the spread of avian influenza presents a pressing challenge.

The potential for economic disruption linked to disease outbreaks must not be underestimated, especially in a region heavily reliant on the travel industry. In addition to an outbreak’s economic effect on the tourism industry, an outbreak can also disrupt a country’s residential population, negatively affecting the economy.

“In our region, three of every ten people face obstacles that make it difficult for them to access health services. These obstacles they include high costs. We also have the lack of health insurance, difficulty in reaching these health centres, waiting for a long time, and also we see poor experiences when they’re looking for health care. One of the major problems is out-of- pocket expenses, so what the families need to pay directly for these medical services, medication and treatment. So this is still a huge economic load for so many people and families, and in extreme cases, can lead to poverty.” stated Dr. Barbosa.

As countries in the region face dual threats from arboviral diseases like dengue and H5N1, the health policy recommendations emphasise preventative measures, including vaccination for at-risk populations, training for healthcare workers, and tactical public awareness campaigns.

The call to action is stark: Strengthening health systems is paramount to mitigating these health threats and ensuring the population’s safety in St. Kitts and Nevis and throughout the Caribbean.

The PAHO continues to advocate for investment in health systems while recognising that equitable access to healthcare is essential for all populations.

Vigilance, preparedness, and community engagement remain the keys to successfully navigating the dangers posed by emerging infectious diseases in the region.