Avian Disease Workshop for Asia Pacific 2024

Regional Workshop for Avian Disease Prevention and Control in Asia and the Pacific 2024

Background

The poultry industry in the Asia Pacific has experienced exponential growth, becoming a cornerstone of agricultural economies and a vital source of protein for millions. However, this rapid expansion has also brought about significant challenges, particularly in the realm of disease management. With a plethora of avian diseases posing constant threats to both commercial operations and backyard flocks, there is a need for coordinated prevention and control measures.

At the 14th GF-TADs Global Steering Committee meeting, the global strategy for the prevention and control of high pathogenic avian influenza (2024-2033) was launched to provide high-level strategic direction for global and regional coordination to support the development and/or revision of national and regional action plans for HPAI prevention and control. It also emphasizes the need for a One Health approach and puts a focus on poultry value chains and measures that can significantly reduce the burden of HPAI. It is important to disseminate this information to countries and regions to initiate the implementation of the strategy.

In the Asia-Pacific, annual regional workshops have been organised to review progress in preventing and controlling various animal diseases and define how to strengthen multi-sectoral and international coordination and collaboration.

At the last regional workshop in Qingdao, China, August 2023, participants discussed continuing disease surveillance and monitoring activities in domestic and wild birds, improving information sharing, diagnostic capacity and early warning system and strengthening regional collaborations. The experts recommended that the regional expert network on Avian diseases continues to meet physically once a year.

With these recommendations, WOAH Regional Representation for Asia and the Pacific (RRAP) will organise a regional workshop for avian disease prevention and control from 27 – 29 August 2024, with time slots dedicated to an avian disease expert network meeting and research dissemination for OHPH. The meeting provides an opportunity for all regional reference laboratories on avian diseases and WOAH Members to meet in-person and share scientific data and research on avian influenza and other avian diseases present in the region.

Objectives

to share information on the global strategy for the prevention and control of high pathogenic avian influenza (2024-2033)
to provide updates on recent outbreaks, surveillance data, and the impact of avian diseases over the past year
to provide an update on OFFLU and other activities, following the recommendations from the previous meetings
to update on diagnostic techniques and sampling for avian influenza in both domestic and wild birds
to discuss effective prevention and control of avian influenza and other avian diseases in the region