The Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO) released a Scientific Task Force on Avian Influenza and Wild Birds statement on H5N8 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in poultry and wild birds.
3 December 2014: The Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO) released a Scientific Task Force on Avian Influenza and Wild Birds statement on H5N8 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in poultry and wild birds.
The statement, in response to recent H5N8 HPAI developments, informs stakeholders about the potential interaction between wild birds and H5N8 HPAI virus and ways of taking action. Key messages in the statement include: HPAI outbreaks are most frequently associated with intensive domestic poultry production and associated trade and marketing systems; and spread of HPAI virus is via contaminated poultry, poultry products and inanimate objects, although wild birds may also play a role.
In the statement, the Task Force on Avian Influenza and Wild Birds urges agencies and organizations to conduct thorough epidemiological evaluations to determine the true source of the virus including possible transmission through national and international poultry trade; regardless of the source of infection, focus disease control actions on affected farms; and recognize that focusing attention on wild birds, to the exclusion of other potential viral vectors, can misdirect critical resources away from effective disease control and result in continued spread among poultry populations.
The Scientific Task Force on Avian Influenza and Wild Birds was convened in 2005. It works as a communication and coordination network and reviews the role of wild birds in the epidemiology of avian influenza and the impact of the disease on wild birds.
The Task Force observers include the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE). Task Force members include FAO, CMS, the African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbird Agreement (AEWA), BirdLife International, Ecohealth Alliance, International Council for Game and Wildlife Conservation, Ramsar Convention, Royal Veterinary College, Wetlands International, and Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust. [CMS News] [FAO Avian Influenza website]