FVE hosted a webinar on 27 February on the preparedness, prevention and control related to zoonotic avian influenza spill-over. EASVO Past President Jane Clark moderated the webinar and detailed how veterinarians play a key role in implementing evidence-led best practices for disease prevention, detection, management and control in livestock, wildlife and companion animals, referring to the latest FVE Position Paper on Pandemic Preparedness. Avian influenza viruses pose an increasing threat, with the potential to adapt to humans and trigger future pandemics (Slides: Webinar HPAI R2). Employing a One Health approach, Prof. Ian Brown OBE explained how avian influenza can jump from birds into humans or other mammals, drivers of virus evolution and how we can best support disease/threat mitigation through improved prevention and interventions (slides: FVE HPAI spillover_Brown)
Dr. A. Broglia from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) presented joint scientific advice that assesses avian influenza virus mutations and the potential of these viruses to spread to humans, along with recommendations for the animal and public health sectors (slides: EFSA_zoonotic_AI_FVE webinar_Feb2025). An insightful panel discussion followed on the potential of vaccination in mammals, measures available to curb further spread and the million dollar question: how large is the risk that HPAI could spill over to humans and become the next pandemic?
Watch the full recording HERE or look at the slides on the links above!
