THE MINISTRIES of Agriculture and Health are conducting a $64 million National Avian Influenza Surveillance Programme, as part of a collaborative campaign to prevent Avian Influenza (bird flu) from entering the island.
According to Agriculture Minister, Roger Clarke the Government is providing $14 million for the programme, while $50 million is to be provided through international funding to acquire testing apparatus, among other things.
Mr. Clarke said the Health and Agriculture ministries have been testing samples of commercial poultry flocks.
TESTS CONDUCTED
"So far, the Ministry of Agriculture, Jamaica Broilers, Caribbean Broilers, egg farmers and veterinary parish officers have conducted 48,000 tests," he said adding that the next step of the programme will involve sensitisation initiatives in agricultural schools.
In the meantime, Mr. Clarke said a system has been implemented for broiler companies selling day old chicks, to keep a record of their purchasers and the locations of their farms to facilitate checks by veterinary officers.
The Agriculture Minister also said other initiatives were being pursued under the surveillance programme. "The ports of entry are safe against Avian Influenza, as we do not allow the importation of birds at this time," he said. "There has been rigorous scrutiny to prevent the entry of Avian Influenza and other diseases such as Newcastle disease, West Nile virus and Duck Viral enteritis."
