Cayman Islands issues advisory after infectious poultry disease detected
Key Points(5)
- The Cayman Islands Department of Agriculture (DoA) has issued an advisory after cases of Infectious Coryza, a highly contagious respiratory disease affecting poultry, were detected in flocks across the islands.
- In a statement on Thursday, the department stressed that the disease poses no risk to human health and does not make poultry meat or eggs unsafe to eat.
- Infectious Coryza is caused by the bacterium Avibacterium paragallinarum and affects only birds.
- Common symptoms include swelling of the face and wattles, foul-smelling discharge from the nose and eyes, sneezing and lethargy.
- While the disease rarely causes high mortality in adult birds, officials warned that it can significantly reduce feed intake and cut egg production by between 10% and 40%, resulting in substantial economic losses for poultry farmers.
The Cayman Islands Department of Agriculture (DoA) has issued an advisory after cases of Infectious Coryza, a highly contagious respiratory disease affecting poultry, were detected in flocks across the islands.
In a statement on Thursday, the department stressed that the disease poses no risk to human health and does not make poultry meat or eggs unsafe to eat.
Infectious Coryza is caused by the bacterium Avibacterium paragallinarum and affects only birds. Common symptoms include swelling of the face and wattles, foul-smelling discharge from the nose and eyes, sneezing and lethargy.
While the disease rarely causes high mortality in adult birds, officials warned that it can significantly reduce feed intake and cut egg production by between 10% and 40%, resulting in substantial economic losses for poultry farmers.
The Department of Agriculture said the disease spreads rapidly through direct contact with infected or carrier birds, as well as through contaminated feed, water, clothing, footwear, equipment and transport vehicles. It can also spread over short distances through airborne droplets in poorly ventilated poultry houses.
Officials noted that birds which recover from the disease often remain lifelong carriers capable of infecting healthy flocks.
The department said early treatment with broad-spectrum antibiotics, available through its veterinary team following a confirmed diagnosis, can reduce the severity of symptoms and help restore flock productivity, although it does not eliminate the carrier state.
Farmers are also being encouraged to provide supportive care by adding vitamins and electrolytes to drinking water and maintaining clean, dry housing to aid recovery.
The advisory reminds poultry owners to strengthen biosecurity measures by using foot disinfectant baths or dedicated footwear at coop entrances, quarantining new birds for at least 30 days, regularly disinfecting equipment and restricting visitors to poultry areas.
To help control and eventually eliminate the disease, the Department of Agriculture said it is procuring vaccines specifically targeting Infectious Coryza.
Once the vaccines arrive, they will be made available to local farmers for administration to their own flocks. The department's Veterinary Services team will provide guidance, dosage instructions and training to ensure the vaccines are used effectively.
The department is urging poultry producers to closely monitor their flocks for signs of respiratory illness and report suspected cases promptly to Veterinary Services to facilitate testing and treatment.
"The Department of Agriculture is working proactively to support our poultry farmers through surveillance, treatment access and upcoming vaccination efforts," Director of Agriculture Wilbur Welcome said.
"Our priority remains safeguarding local food production while equipping farmers with the tools and knowledge needed to manage and prevent the spread within their flocks."
