1-5 September 2007 - The continual emergence and re-emergence of H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus in both poultry and wildlife in Asia has made this region one of the most important areas from which insight can be gained as to the role that wild birds play in the epidemiology and ecology of this disease. Due to low levels of farm biosecurity in many locations in Asia, or the intentional grazing of domestic ducks in wetlands where wild ducks over-winter, the interphases between the poultry and wildlife sectors remain an obvious potential mechanism for disease transmission amongst species and sectors in this part of the world. In an effort to better understand HPAI in wildlife, many countries have developed national programs aimed at surveillance of wild birds, and many international programs are contributing financially and logistically to research, surveillance, and improving the understanding of the role that wild birds play in the transmission of HPAI.

These activities are of great importance but coordination of these many projects, programs and activities would greatly increase the overall understanding of wildlife issues related to disease maintenance, potential reservoir species, disease transmission, and the possible source of infection at farms and wetlands when the disease emerges or re-emerges in the region.

The goal of the Avian Influenza and Wildlife: Surveillance and Research Priorities For the Asia Region meeting will be to provide an opportunity for each country in the greater Asia region (SE Asia + China, Mongolia, Russia, Bangladesh and India) to share the wildlife related activities that are ongoing in their respective countries, and to bring together avian wildlife and disease specialists in order to better coordinate efforts in the region. As well, we will facilitate working groups to gain a better understanding of in-country needs, regional needs, and priorities in order to improve our knowledge about wild birds and HPAI.

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The Organizing Committee