Avian influenza: First global dialogue targets the rising pandemic threat | FAO News

Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil – In an unprecedented response to the rapid global spread of high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI), stakeholders & experts from across the poultry sector, public health, science, & policy spheres have convened in Brazil in a landmark meeting. This first-ever global multisectoral dialogue aims to forge coordinated defense against the escalating threat to animal & human health & agricultural livelihoods.

Avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu, is a highly contagious viral disease that primarily infects birds. The virus belongs to the Type A influenza family, which is known for its ability to mutate & change rapidly.

Since 2020, HPAI has expanded rapidly across continents, devastating poultry flocks, impacting biodiversity, trade & food security, & raising concerns over its potential to spark a human pandemic. The currently circulating avian influenza panzootic is now widespread, & represents one of the most serious pandemic threats, experts warn. Avian influenza has spread to 83 mammal species including dairy cattle & wildlife, & poses a rapidly evolving risk.

“Avian influenza is no longer a sporadic threat; it’s becoming a global challenge,” said Beth Bechdol, FAO Deputy Director-General. “No single country or sector can tackle this threat in isolation—& failure is not an option. Practical, science-based collaboration like this is essential to protect our agrifood systems, livelihoods, & public health,” she added.

Organized by the Food & Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in partnership with the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture & Livestock, the event “Tackling high pathogenicity avian influenza together – Global science, policy & private sector dialogue” brings together around 500 experts & decision-makers to galvanize multisectoral collaboration & investment. Representatives from the private sector, including industry associations involved in the production of poultry & the provision of animal health services are also joining government & scientific leaders for the first time in this type of global dialogue—providing an opportunity to better understand private sector’s challenges, recognize its ongoing efforts, & highlight the solutions it is already implementing to tackle the threat posed by avian influenza.

Experts from Asia, Africa, Europe, & the Americas – many of whom are members of FAO & World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) OFFLU Network of Expertise on Animal Influenza – are also participating in the dialogue.

“Addressing avian influenza requires a collective effort that unites countries, productive sectors, the scientific community, & international organizations. This challenge must be met with full transparency, as only in this way can we build trust & safeguard global food security,” said Carlos Favaro, Brazil’s Minister of Agriculture & Livestock. “I would like to emphasize that this year, when avian influenza was detected on a commercial farm, Brazil demonstrated a decisive difference. Our swift & effective response highlighted the strength & credibility of Brazil’s sanitary system.”

Priority themes

The event seeks to build on the Global Strategy for the Prevention & Control of HPAI, recently launched by FAO in collaboration with WOAH. This strategy aims to support the development & implementation of national & regional action plans while strengthening global efforts to reduce transboundary & pandemic risks.

The three-day event focuses on:
— Identifying effective HPAI prevention & control strategies—particularly in low-income countries & informal backyard poultry systems.
— Promoting early warning systems, vaccination strategies, & biosecurity measures.
— Enhancing multisectoral coordination based on the One Health approach.
— Sharing innovative, field-ready solutions for diagnostics, surveillance, & outbreak response.

Thanawat Tiensin, Chief Veterinarian of FAO & Director of the Animal Production & Health Division summarized FAO’s approach in his remarks: “Improved surveillance, biosecurity, & vaccination when appropriate, combined with rapid disease control are keys to controlling this disease. At the same time, the sustainable transformation of poultry production offers new approaches & safeguards to prevent losses from poultry diseases. It will take a holistic approach & partnering with the private sector to effectively reduce the risk of avian influenza for generations to come.”

“The debate around Avian Influenza is a matter of international cooperation & requires joint efforts from all nations,” said Ricardo Santin, president of the Brazilian Association of Animal Protein & of the International Poultry Council. “It is an issue with a direct impact on trade flows &, consequently, on inflation & on global food security. These are sensitive matters that must be guided by knowledge & science, & that call for a revision of concepts & paradigms.”