World Organisation for Animal Health forum redefines avian influenza prevention, control
In the context of the current global avian influenza crisis, the World Organization for Animal Health (OMSA) held its first Animal Health Forum devoted entirely to this disease. International experts and government and private sector representatives laid the groundwork for a discussion on current challenges and perspectives for the fight against avian influenza.
More than 500 million birds have died since 2005 from avian influenza, a deadly disease for birds with devastating consequences for the health of domestic and wild birds, as well as biodiversity and livelihoods.
The Animal Health Forum, held during OMSA's 90th General Session, brought together key stakeholders and all members to discuss possible solutions to reduce the impact of avian influenza across sectors. Based on this year's technical theme, "Strategic Challenges for the Global Control of High Pathogenic Avian Influenza," participants examined the consequences of the disease, the relevance of current prevention and control tools, the impact on international trade, and the need for better global coordination.
At the end of the Forum, OMSA published a comprehensive report containing discussions and conclusions.
Vaccination was at the center of the debate, as countries that previously relied on conventional methods to control avian influenza now face immense challenges that lead them to seek additional measures. Alongside biosecurity, animal movement control and stamping-out, the WHO General Assembly discussed the use of vaccination as a complementary tool and discussed in detail the challenges of its implementation.
It was recognized that an effective vaccination strategy should be based on licensed vaccines that corresponded exactly to the viral strains in circulation. In addition, vaccination should be accompanied by a robust surveillance system, capable of demonstrating freedom from infection in the domestic animal population, as recommended by the OMSA Terrestrial Animal Health Code. Countries will be able to develop their own effective national strategies adapted to the local context by taking into account all existing science-based control measures and using them in accordance with international recommendations.
OMSA Members adopted a resolution that will inform future activities to control avian influenza and protect wildlife, while continuing to assist the poultry industry and ensure business continuity. In particular, this resolution stresses the importance of Members respecting and implementing OMSA international standards for effective control of avian influenza. The use of vaccination without negative commercial consequences, in accordance with OMSA standards, requires the existence of robust monitoring and surveillance systems for both vaccination and disease.
Read more about the forum and watch videos on avian flu on the OMSA website.
OMSA is an intergovernmental organization that works across borders and is based in Paris, France.
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