The Department of Agriculture has confirmed cases of Infectious Coryza in poultry flocks across the Cayman Islands, prompting a vaccination programme and tighter biosecurity advice to limit the spread of the poultry disease. The advisory came as farmers were told to watch for signs of infection and report suspected cases to Veterinary Services.

The department said the disease affects poultry only and poses no risk to human health. It also reassured the public that poultry meat and eggs remained safe to eat, even as farmers in places including West Bay and Lower Valley were urged to watch their flocks closely and report suspected cases.

Disease found in flocks across the islands

Infectious Coryza was identified by the department as a bacterial illness caused by Avibacterium paragallinarum. Officials said it spreads through direct contact between birds and could also move from farm to farm on contaminated equipment, clothing, footwear and transport equipment. In poorly ventilated coops, the bacteria could also travel short distances through the air.

The disease commonly causes swelling of the face and wattles, a foul-smelling discharge from the eyes and nostrils, sneezing, and lethargy. While adult birds often had a low mortality rate, infected flocks could still suffer reduced feed intake and losses in egg production of between 10% and 40%. That makes the disease a concern for small poultry keepers as well as larger local producers who depend on steady egg and meat output.

The department warned that birds that recover from the illness frequently remain lifelong carriers. Thus, they can continue to spread the bacteria to other birds even after outward signs of disease has disappeared, making control measures important for long-term flock health.

Biosecurity advice issued to farmers

Officials urge poultry owners to strengthen biosecurity measures to protect flock health and limit the spread of the disease. The advice includes using disinfectant footbaths or dedicated farm footwear, quarantining new birds for at least 30 days, separating sick birds from healthy flocks, disinfecting feeders, drinkers and housing regularly, restricting visitor access and avoiding the sharing of equipment between farms.

Veterinary officials say early treatment with broad-spectrum antibiotics could lessen the severity of the disease and help restore flock productivity. They stress, however, that treatment does not remove the carrier state.

Antibiotics are available through the department's Veterinary Services after a confirmed diagnosis.

The department also recommends that supportive care, including vitamins and electrolytes in drinking water, and clean, dry housing. These products are available through the department's Commercial Centre in Lower Valley. Farmers have been told to monitor flocks closely for respiratory illness and to act quickly if signs of infection appear.

Vaccination programme planned

As part of its response, the department said it is procuring vaccines targeting Infectious Coryza for local farmers. Officials say the aim is to help control and eventually eradicate the disease from the local poultry population.

Officials say the vaccines will be made available to poultry farmers once imported, but they did not state whether the programme would be free or subsidised, how farmers can apply, or whether there would be any priority for affected areas. Veterinary Services are expected to guide producers on dosage and administration so the programme can be carried out properly. The department says the plan forms part of a wider effort to protect local food production and reduce the spread of infection between birds.

Director of Agriculture Wilbur Welcome said the department was working to support farmers through surveillance, treatment access and vaccination efforts. "The Department of Agriculture is working proactively to support our poultry farmers through surveillance, treatment access and upcoming vaccination efforts," 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."

Some farmers wary of vaccines

Speaking to The Caymanian Journal on the basis of anonymity, a poultry farmer in West Bay said he does not intend to vaccinate his flock. He said:

"My chickens are good, and I'm not for that about vaccines."

When asked whether he believed other poultry keepers shared that view, he said:

"Well, I can't read their mind. Some of them might object too about this vaccine."

The comments suggest that some poultry owners may require further information and reassurance before deciding whether to participate in the vaccination programme.

What happens next

The Department of Agriculture is urging poultry producers to report suspected cases promptly to Veterinary Services at 916-2218 for testing and treatment guidance. Officials say quick reporting will help limit the spread and support earlier intervention in affected flocks.

Officials reiterate that Infectious Coryza poses no risk to public health and cannot infect humans. For consumers in the Cayman Islands, the outbreak remains an animal health issue affecting poultry, rather than a food safety concern.

The main concern for farmers is likely to be the effect on egg and meat production, especially where flocks are already showing symptoms. By pushing biosecurity, offering treatment through Veterinary Services and introducing vaccines when they arrive, the Department of Agriculture aims to reduce the damage to flocks, support Cayman Islands poultry farms and help farmers keep producing food for the islands. Officials said the work would continue as cases were monitored and the vaccination programme was put in place.