Rapid bird flu spread needs ramped up biosecurity response
Step up safety measures as bird flu risk continues to grow, say world health authorities.
(Image: Getty Images)
The threat of bird flu to human health has ramped up as the pathogenâs spread continues to bring poultry flock numbers down worldwideThe United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has urged biosecurity measures be stepped up worldwide to help contain the rapidly-spreading H5N1 pathogen, also known as bird flu.
Hundreds of millions of poultry have been killed worldwide due to the disease, while the number of mammals being infected is also on the rise.
Such a concern is the spread that the FAO and other bodies have made a third call for funding proposals to develop initiatives to tackle the disease through the Pandemic Fund, hosted by the World Bank.
Bird flu on the riseEarlier this year the number of cases of bird flu in US cattle increased, while the pathogen has had a devastating effect on egg prices in the States.
As such, the FAO has called on global health authorities to bolster biosecurity defences, as well as increase monitoring, surveillance, rapid response mechanisms and risk communications to safeguard economies dependent on poultry and livestock.
The âunprecedentedâ spread of the disease was âleading to serious impacts on food security and food supply in countries, including loss of valuable nutrition, rural jobs and income, shocks to local economies, and of course increasing costs to consumersâ, said FAO deputy director-general Godfrey Magwenzi.
Millions worldwide rely on poultry meat and eggs for food and nutrition, and poultry production must be protected, added Magwenzi.
The issue can only be controlled through coordinated efforts, said FAO deputy-director general Beth Bechdol.
How to tackle the bird flu diseaseâFAO has been on the front lines of tackling this virus for over 20 years â supporting governments in detecting, preventing, and responding to outbreaks,â she added.
The FAO has combined forces with the World Organisation for Animal Health, developing a 10-year global strategy to help lower the threat of bird flu.
Eight measures have been called out by the two organisations for global health bodies to act on. They are:
Enhance surveillance and reportingâImprove laboratory capacityâDevelop and implement preparedness plans and plan for business continuityâPromote risk management through biosecurityâConsider a potential role for vaccination in risk mitigationâStrengthen outbreak response âFoster regional and international cooperationâRaise awarenessââFAO remains fully committed to global monitoring, sharing information, and providing guidance and tools to support all our Member countries tackle this serious threat,â added Bechdol.
