Friday, 28 November 2025
H5 Avian Flu Confirmed at West Bay Farm
Community Advisory link – http://doa.gov.ky/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Community-Advisory-29-Nov-25.pdf
The Ministry of Planning, Lands, Agriculture, Housing and Infrastructure and Ministry of Health, Environment and Sustainability have confirmed a case of H5 avian flu in a single bird at a farm located in Grand Cayman. The detection follows the discovery of a number of dead turkeys at the location.
Hazard Management Cayman Islands is coordinating a multi-agency response that includes the relevant ministries, Department of Agriculture, Public Health Department, Department of Environment, Department of Environmental Health (DEH), Royal Cayman Islands Police (RCIPS), Cayman Islands Regiment, among other entities.
Immediate containment measures are now underway, including the establishment of cordons around the affected farm that will be enforced by the RCIPS. Initial response actions include epidemiological sampling and laboratory dispatch, comprehensive waste control protocols, removal of potentially contaminated biological material including affected soil, feral chicken control operations and targeted culling measures as determined necessary by agricultural and health authorities. Affected farmers are being contacted directly, biosecurity protocols have been established at the site, and all activities are being conducted under public health oversight.
Acting Minister in the Ministry of Planning, Lands, Agriculture, Housing and Infrastructure Honourable Nickolas DaCosta stated, “Our government is treating this matter with the utmost seriousness and has mobilised all necessary resources to contain and manage this situation swiftly. The health and safety of all Caymanians and our agricultural sector is our top priority, and we are working across agencies to ensure a coordinated response. I want to encourage farmers and agricultural workers to maintain heightened surveillance of their animals over the coming days and report any unusual illness or mortality immediately to the Department of Agriculture. Proper biosecurity practices including limiting visitor access to farms, maintaining clean equipment and monitoring bird health remain our strongest defence. By working together and remaining vigilant, we can contain this effectively.”
Avian influenza, which is caused by the influenza A virus, is an infectious disease that primarily affects birds. While transmission of avian influenza from birds to humans can occur, such transmission requires close contact with infected birds.
“It is important for the general public to know that the risk of avian influenza to the general population remains low,” explains Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Hilary Wolf. “That said, members of the public should keep their distance from wild birds- including feral chickens- and avoid contact with any sick or dead wild animals.”
While there are currently no confirmed cases of avian influenza in humans in the Cayman Islands, symptoms of avian flu in humans usually start 4 to 6 days after being in contact with an infected bird. Symptoms can range from mild to severe, and include high temperature, cough, sore throat, runny or blocked nose, wheezing and sneezing, shortness of breath, and red, irritated eyes (conjunctivitis).
“All individuals who may have been exposed to the infected animals have been started in prophylaxis antiviral medication,” added Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Samuel Williams-Rodriguez. “The Cayman Islands Molecular Biology Laboratory has the capacity to test for the avian flu virus and provide a report in less than 24 hours, so the public should rest assured that we are on top of the situation.”
“This situation highlights the importance of not only recognising the interconnectedness between human, animal and environmental health, but also working collaboratively to ensure the best possible outcome for all,” stated Minister of Health, Environment and Sustainability, Honourable Katherine Ebanks-Wilks. “As our teams will continue their collaborative work to address this issue, I want to ask our community to do its part. Please make sure you are practicing basic hygiene, such as handwashing, and you’re continuing to properly prepare and cook poultry, meat and eggs before consuming them. As we enter the festive season, and with Cayman thanksgiving around the corner, let’s work together to keep our families and our communities safe.”
The Cayman Islands Government, through the work of multiple departments and agencies, ensures that both local and imported foods that are sold within local markets are safe as these undergo a robust licensing, inspection, approval, testing and monitoring programme from source to consumption. “The Department of Environmental Health ensures that all foods that are deemed unfit for human consumption are condemned and destroyed,” explained Acting Director of DEH, Mr. Michael Haworth. “As one of the leading agencies in the area of food safety, DEH officers across the islands are tasked with this disposal process to ensure they do not re-enter the food chain.”
Key recommendations:
- Avoid contact with sick or dead animals: Do not touch infected poultry, wild birds, or mammals, or environments contaminated by their feces.
- Practice good hygiene: Wash hands frequently, especially after contact with animals or potentially contaminated surfaces.
- Ensure food safety: Consume only properly cooked poultry and pasteurised milk and dairy products, as thorough cooking (reaching internal temperature of at least 70 degrees Celsius) and pasteurisation effectively kill the virus. Ensure that juices from cooked meats are clear, not pink. Refrain from consuming raw eggs.
- Seek medical attention if symptomatic: If you develop symptoms like fever, cough, or conjunctivitis after potential exposure to infected animals, contact the Public Health department at 244 2889, 244 2621 or 244 2561.
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Updates on the situation will be provided to the public through official government channels. Anyone with concerns or information related to this matter is encouraged to contact the Department of Agriculture at (345) 916-7146.
