What recent highly pathogenic avian influenza epidemics tell us about biosecurity

FAO is conducting a series of knowledge-rich webinars on a monthly basis as part of the Progressive Management Pathway for Terrestrial Animal Biosecurity (PMP-TAB) Community of Practice. These webinars cover a host of topics related to the progressive improvement of terrestrial animal biosecurity, involving speakers and participants from multiple disciplines and backgrounds.

 

This month, the webinar will be organized in collaboration with the World Animal Biosecurity Association (WABA), which will be formally launched later this year as an international association focusing on all aspects of animal biosecurity.

 

The upcoming webinar will include two speakers. First, Manon Racicot will talk about highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) outbreaks in domestic birds in Canada between 2022 and 2025, an unprecedented event highlighting some biosecurity issues. Common failures will be presented along with tips on improving the situation.

 

In the second presentation, Folorunso Fasina will discuss the increasing frequency of HPAI in African countries since 2021 and identified risk factors. Ecologic and anthropogenic factors, including those linked to the poultry value chain stakeholders and lapses in biosecurity, have played significant roles in introducing and transmitting avian influenza viruses. While wild bird migration cannot be controlled, epidemic-surveillance, movement control, reducing risks along the value chain, and adherence to biosecurity practices in poultry farms and live bird markets are implementable.

 

Presenters

Manon Racicot, Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Université de Montréal

Folorunso Fasina, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)

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