WOAH’s Animal Health Forum reshapes bird flu prevention and control strategies

In light of the ongoing global avian influenza crisis, the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) hosted its first Animal Health Forum, fully dedicated to the disease, according to a press release from the organisation.

The Forum served as a platform for international experts, private sector and government representatives to engage in meaningful discussions about the current challenges and perspectives for combatting avian influenza.

Since 2005, the toll of avian influenza has been staggering, with over 500 million birds lost to the disease. Its devastating impact extends beyond domestic and wild birds, threatening livelihoods and food security alike.

The recent paradigm change in the ecology and epidemiology of avian influenza has heightened global concern as the disease has spread to new geographical regions, caused unusual wild bird die-offs, and has led to an alarming rise in mammalian cases. The rapidly evolving nature and the changes in spread patterns have encouraged leaders and experts to review existing avian influenza prevention and control tools, including the use of vaccines.

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“Vaccinating is not the end, it is just the beginning,” said David Swayne, Disease Expert and Forum rapporteur. “Vaccination application needs to be managed along the supply chain including a surveillance programme which is able to detect active infection in vaccinated animals.”

Source: Poultry Site