High pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) is a highly contagious transboundary disease with zoonotic potential that has severe impacts on animal health, livelihoods, economy, and human health. Since 2020, the world has experienced an unprecedented H5 HPAI panzootic, totalling more than 11 000 disease events (i.e., outbreaks, cases, and detections) in both wild and domestic bird populations. More than 70 countries across Africa, the Americas, and Eurasia have been affected by the disease, including at least twenty countries and territories reporting H5 HPAI for the first time.
FAO has been a trusted partner in supporting pandemic prevention and preparedness for zoonotic influenza. It regularly collaborates with the WHO Global Influenza Programme, contributing with information sharing on animal influenza surveillance, participating in risk assessments (e.g TIPRA), and supporting the WHO bi-annual influenza vaccine composition meetings with information provided through the joint WOAH-FAO scientific network on animal influenza (OFFLU) network of expertise on animal influenzas. These global efforts have created improved detection and response capacities in many countries.
Considering the alarming spread of HPAI and the evolution of avian influenza in the wild birds, as well as building on discussions of the recent Global Consultation on Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in Rome, FAO in Geneva is organizing this FAO One Health Briefing on Avian Influenza: Update and Coordinated Response, to inform permanent missions in Geneva of the latest scientific findings and knowledge to support development/implementation of disease prevention and control strategies and policies in the animal health sector, as well as FAO and partners’ contribution to global efforts towards reducing pandemic risk.
