Resolutions and recommendations adopted during a round table give advice on preventing or mitigating the spread of H5N1. They include surveillance, early warning and risk assessment; priority short-term needs; longer-term needs; collaboration and cooperation; and next steps. Delegates vowed to enhance their collaboration towards developing effective mechanisms to contain the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI).

Dr Peter Schei, President of BirdLife International who chaired the meeting called for more scientific research: “We need to establish an enhanced cooperation system including short-term surveillance mechanisms to identify the species that contribute to the spread of HPAI and trade impacts.”

Robert Hepworth, CMS Executive Secretary and coordinator of the Scientific Task Force said: “We need a balanced, science-based approach that takes into account the potential role of human movements and unsustainable and unhygienic poultry husbandry practices and trade.” With regard to the global importance of the resolutions recently adopted by the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA), the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and CMS he emphasized: “Higher standards and biosecurity measures in poultry; integration of expertise on wild birds and conservation into animal and human health considerations; national contingency plans and public awareness campaigns will help to control the spreading of the disease. Quick-fixes such as culling wild birds and destroying their habitat are unacceptable: they are counter-productive and aggravate the problem.”

Man’s interference with nature was identified as a key factor with a serious impact on eco-health. The preliminary findings of a new report by the Canadian academic Dr David Rapport were presented at the seminar. The report addresses linkages between the emerging threat of an HPAI pandemic and a continuously deteriorating environment. The loss of ecosystem health places humans at risk. The conservation and restoration of large areas of wetlands can dissolve the increasing conflict between wild birds, land uses and farming practices. “Intensive poultry operations along migratory wild bird routes are incompatible with protecting the health of ecosystems that birds depend upon. They also increase the risks of transfer of pathogens between migrating birds and domestic fowl,” says the study.

Delegates acknowledged the important role of the Scientific Task Force on Avian Influenza in generating advice on the root causes and conservation impacts of HPAI, assessing the role of migratory birds as vectors of the virus, and developing early warning systems and expertise. They asked the Scientific Task Force to promote the implementation of the Seminar’s conclusions and recommendations both within participating organizations and among others. A review of the work of the Task Force, including the Seminar’s conclusions and recommendations is to be communicated to the UN Special Coordinator for Avian Influenza. Participants also suggested the appointment of a Task Force Coordinator who would be responsible for running a dedicated website on avian influenza. Since the seminar, a specific proposal for this has been agreed by the Task Force: it is hoped to establish the website later in May or early June.

Shafqat Kakakhel, Acting Executive Director of UNEP, appreciated support given to the Seminar’s co-sponsors, including the UK Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), FAO and the Netherlands’ BirdLife partner, Vogelbescherming Nederland. He stressed that a degraded environment promotes the emergence of infectious diseases. He stressed the need to effectively follow up on the Seminar’s conclusions and recommendations. In this context he reaffirmed UNEP’s commitment to disseminating the Seminar’s findings and managing the risks associated with HPAI.

Conclusions and Recommendations of the Avian Influenza Seminar

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