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Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) Pandemic : Cave Hill: International Agencies

This guide provides information on the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and informs on resources and documents produced by Barbados and the UWI Cave Hill Campus.

Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)

 

Key messages 

 

  • While there is ongoing speculation on the likely animal origin of the novel coronavirus (SARS-COV-2), to date, the spread and development of the current human epidemic is due to human-to-human transmission.

 

  • There is no current evidence of dogs playing a role in the spread of COVID-19. As a general practice, when caring for any kind of animals, always wash your hands before and after you interact with them.

 

  • The World Health Organization (WHO) is the authority and primary source of information regarding the human health aspects of this outbreak.

 

  • Meat from healthy livestock that is cooked thoroughly remains safe to eat.

 

  • People should not handle, slaughter, dress, sell, prepare or consume meat that originates from wild animals or livestock that are sick or that have died from unknown causes. Raw wild meat or uncooked dishes based on the blood of wild animals should not be consumed. These practices place people at high risk of contracting any number of infections.

 

  • Any unusual morbidity or mortality of animals should be reported to the animal health authorities.

 

  •  FAO is fully engaged in the multisectoral coordination at the national, regional and international levels through the activation of an FAO Incident Coordination Group.

 

  •  FAO is working with partners to assist member countries and research communities in identifying potential animal hosts of this virus and reduce spillover events to humans.

​http://www.fao.org/2019-ncov/en/

What is FAO doing

FAO is ready to support countries in their efforts to strengthen food hygiene. While COVID-19 is not known to be a food borne illness, usual good practice as regards handling of animals and good food hygiene throughout the food chain are essential for public health and will aid in the prevention and control of infectious diseases.

What is FAO doing with regard to the current outbreak

  •  Monitoring and sharing information
  • Coordinating action with partners

One Health 

  • Stepping up preparedness

       For food supply

       Providing equipment

    Deploying experts

       Providing emergency diagnostic kits and training courses 

United Nations

Secretary-General's Message on COVID 19

All of us face a common threat – the coronavirus – COVID 19.

Today’s declaration of a pandemic is a call to action – for everyone, everywhere.

It’s also a call for responsibility and solidarity – as nations united and as people united.

As we fight the virus, we cannot let fear go viral.

Together, we can still change the course of this pandemic – but that means addressing inaction.

The best science tells us, if countries detect, test, treat, isolate, trace and mobilize their people in the response, we can go a long way to mitigating transmission.

I call on every government to step up and scale up their efforts – now.

And since this is a crisis that affects everyone, we must all play our part.  

As we mourn all those who have lost their lives and the many families who are suffering, we must show solidarity with the most vulnerable – the elderly, the sick, those without reliable healthcare, and those on the edge of poverty.

Let’s move forward with resolve and without stigma.

You can count on the UN to do our part.

Let’s overcome this common threat together.

UN Secretary General