Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) is a serious transboundary zoonotic disease that affects a wide range of animals, including poultry, wild birds, and mammals. It poses significant threats to public health, economies, livelihoods, agricultural productivity, and biodiversity.

In recent years, HPAI has evolved and spread, resulting in three well-established viral lineages: H5Nx 2.3 clade and subclades Eurasian virus lineage, H7N9 Eurasian virus lineage, and H7N3 North American virus lineage. Some regions have endemic poultry infected with multiple HPAI strains, leading to long-term impacts on agriculture and health. Since 2020, the H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b virus has caused widespread illness and death in birds and mammals across Asia, Europe, Africa, the Americas, and even Antarctica. Outbreaks have also occurred in fur farms, dairy cattle, and pets. The spread between domestic ducks and wild waterfowl further complicates control efforts, with sporadic human cases of H5N1 and H5N6 2.3.4.4b and 2.3.2.1c indicating a potential pandemic threat.

Tailored strategies for HPAI control

Understanding the threat of HPAI within the context of other global issues and creating and implementing a practical, comprehensive approach is crucial to combat the disease at the national level, supported by global and regional coordination. The status of HPAI varies by country, with some being disease-free, others having isolated or widespread outbreaks, and some experiencing endemic circulation in poultry, wild birds, or mammals. A tailored strategy is necessary for each country to prevent HPAI spread and protect poultry, farmed animals, wildlife, and people while fostering sustainable, resilient poultry practices.

In 2008, The Global Strategy for Prevention and Control of H5N1 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza was developed under GF-TADs to address the emerging H5N1 Goose/Guangdong (Gs/GD) Eurasian lineage HPAI. Since then, significant progress has been made in managing avian influenza through improvements in emergency response, diagnostics, vaccines, biosecurity, communication, data management, risk assessment, and surveillance.

A new ten-year global strategy replaces the earlier strategy. This updated framework adopts a systems approach, integrating HPAI with other broader global issues, and aims for long-term improvements in the poultry sector. Emphasizing the One Health approach, it advocates for collaboration across public health, wildlife, and environmental sectors to protect and transform poultry value chains. The strategy encourages using established and innovative methods to reduce infections and losses. It provides a blueprint for countries to formulate effective national plans based on the latest scientific advances and the specific needs of their regions.

A revised global strategy to address a changing context and challenges

The revised global strategy offers high-level strategic direction for global and regional coordination to support the development and revision of national and regional action plans for HPAI prevention and control. It is designed to guide these efforts without being overly prescriptive or binding.

Central to the strategy is the emphasis on the One Health approach, recognizing the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health. This approach underscores the importance of collaboration across sectors and focuses on poultry value chains as critical areas for intervention.