FAO Calls For Immediate Regional Response To Rising Avian Influenza Threat In Asia-Pacific

The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) has urged for immediate regional action to address the increasing avian influenza cases in the Asia-Pacific region. This call comes after a consultation with regional experts in Bangkok, supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Recent developments are alarming. After a long period of minimal human infection, 13 new human cases have been reported in Cambodia. Additional cases have emerged in China and Vietnam since late 2023. The situation is further complicated by a new variant of avian influenza, presenting new challenges for scientists, public health authorities, clinicians, and communities alike.

Globally, the highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 virus has spread more widely geographically than ever before. It has reached as far as South America and Antarctica. The virus has also begun infecting new wild and domestic animals, including scavenger species, marine mammals, carnivorous domestic pets, mammals farmed for fur, and recently farmed ruminants such as dairy cattle.

The Greater Mekong Subregion, Indonesia, and the Philippines are under heightened scrutiny due to their diverse ecological landscapes and limited biosecurity measures. Other regions also remain at risk. Notably, Thailand and Myanmar have not reported outbreaks in years. India, Nepal, and Bangladesh are currently battling avian influenza outbreaks.

"The recent surge in avian influenza outbreaks is deeply concerning," stated Kachen Wongsathapornchai, Regional Manager of FAO Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Diseases (ECTAD). "Since late 2023, we have observed a rise in human cases and the virus spreading to new animal species. The emergence of novel A/H5N1 strains, which are more easily transmissible, increases the pandemic threat. Immediate, coordinated preventive measures are essential."

Unified Response Essential

FAO emphasised the urgency of a unified response. Member Nations must work together to implement comprehensive surveillance systems, including full genome sequencing to track the novel virus's spread and evolution. Building capacity for rapid diagnostics and bioinformatics is crucial for analysing virus data.

Enhanced cross-sectoral data sharing is vital for a holistic approach to disease management. Governments, international organisations, and the private sector must collaborate and share information transparently and promptly to devise effective containment strategies.

Biosafety Measures in Poultry Industry

Strengthening biosafety and biosecurity measures in the poultry industry is imperative. This includes vaccination strategies and promoting good farming practices. Creating awareness among health providers and the public is essential to reduce transmission risks from sick or dead poultry to humans.

Ensuring that people with symptoms receive timely treatment is also critical. FAO highlighted that immediate action is necessary to prevent further spread of this highly pathogenic virus.

The FAO's call underscores the need for urgent regional cooperation to combat avian influenza effectively. By working together on surveillance systems, diagnostics capacity building, data sharing, biosafety measures, public awareness campaigns, timely treatment protocols can be established.

With inputs from WAM