Global Dialogue in Brazil Targets Rising Threat of Avian Influenza
In a historic first, more than 500 experts from government, science, public health, agriculture, and the private sector have come together in Brazil to address one of the most pressing global health and food security challenges: high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI), also known as bird flu.
Organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and Brazil’s Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, the event marks the first global multisectoral dialogue focused exclusively on tackling the spread of HPAI. The three-day meeting, titled “Tackling High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza Together – Global Science, Policy and Private Sector Dialogue,” is designed to forge coordinated international strategies against a virus that is devastating poultry flocks, threatening biodiversity, and raising alarm over potential human pandemic risks.
A Growing Global Crisis
Avian influenza is a highly contagious viral disease that primarily affects birds but has now spread to at least 83 mammal species, including dairy cattle and wildlife. Since 2020, outbreaks have surged across continents, making the current panzootic the most widespread in history. The impacts extend beyond animal health, touching trade, livelihoods, and food security worldwide.
“Avian influenza is no longer a sporadic threat; it’s becoming a global challenge,” said Beth Bechdol, FAO Deputy Director-General. “No single country or sector can tackle this threat in isolation—and failure is not an option. Practical, science-based collaboration like this is essential to protect our agrifood systems, livelihoods, and public health.”
Why Brazil?
Brazil, the world’s largest poultry exporter, has been under intense scrutiny as outbreaks have spread in neighboring regions. Earlier this year, an H5N1 outbreak was detected on a commercial farm in the country. The Brazilian government responded rapidly, containing the spread and reinforcing the credibility of its animal health infrastructure.
“Addressing avian influenza requires a collective effort that unites countries, productive sectors, the scientific community, and international organizations,” said Carlos Favaro, Brazil’s Minister of Agriculture and Livestock. “When avian influenza was detected here, Brazil’s swift and effective response demonstrated the strength of our sanitary system.”
Themes and Priorities
The dialogue builds on the recently launched Global Strategy for the Prevention and Control of HPAI, a joint initiative of FAO and the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH). Discussions center on both immediate outbreak management and long-term resilience, with particular focus on:
Strengthening surveillance and early warning systems.
Expanding access to vaccination and biosecurity measures.
Supporting low-income nations and backyard poultry producers.
Promoting One Health collaboration to address risks at the human–animal–environment interface.
Showcasing innovative diagnostic tools and outbreak response solutions.
Thanawat Tiensin, FAO’s Chief Veterinarian, stressed that controlling avian influenza will require both rapid response and systemic change:
“Improved surveillance, biosecurity, and vaccination when appropriate, combined with rapid disease control are keys to controlling this disease. At the same time, the sustainable transformation of poultry production offers new approaches and safeguards to prevent losses from poultry diseases.”
The Private Sector Joins In
For the first time, private industry associations, poultry producers, and animal health service providers are participating alongside governments and scientific experts. Their involvement underscores the economic stakes: poultry production represents a cornerstone of global food supply and trade.
“Avian influenza directly impacts trade flows, inflation, and global food security,” said Ricardo Santin, president of the Brazilian Association of Animal Protein and the International Poultry Council. “These are sensitive matters that must be guided by knowledge and science, requiring fresh paradigms and collective solutions.”
Looking Ahead
The FAO and WOAH’s new global strategy emphasizes that only transparent reporting, cross-border coordination, and sustained investment can reduce the risks posed by HPAI. Experts warn that with the virus now entrenched in wildlife and mammals, failure to act could allow it to trigger the next global pandemic.
This unprecedented dialogue in Brazil may set the stage for stronger global alignment—uniting governments, scientists, and the private sector in the fight against avian influenza.
