Briefing members in Rome, FAO officials called for urgent action to strengthen biosecurity, monitoring and rapid response mechanisms to limit the outbreak.
FAO Deputy General Goodfrey Magwenzi emphasized that the crisis threatens to have “serious influences on food security and food supply in the countries, Including loss of valuable nutrition, rural and income, shock to local economies and of course rising costs for consumers. “
With millions that depend on poultry for meat and eggs, the challenge is not only to contain the virus but also to protect food production systems.
The economic impact is also felt around the world. For example, egg prices reached a record high in the United States during February according to the US consumer price index, where farmers are forced to slaughter over 166 million birds until total, as Avian influenza has spread for most of the egg-laying chickens.
So far this year, more than 30 million birds in the United States have been killed, according to news reports.
Coordinated response necessary
FAO Deputy Director Beth Bechdol emphasized the need for a global, coordinated response, calls H5N1 A “cross -border” threat that no country can tackle alone.
To tackle the crisis, the FAO and World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) have launched a ten-year global strategy for the prevention and control of avian influenza with high pathogenicity.
“A chain is only as strong as its weakest link. By working together we can reduce the impact of avian flu and protect both animals and human health “Locally and globally,” said MS Bechdol.
Over the past four years, H5N1 has been expanded to new regions, which has caused massive losses in domestic birds, disturbed food supplies and pushing poultry prices higher.
At least 300 new wild bird species have been affected since 2021, poses a serious threat to biodiversity.
Collective Action and Innovation
FAO confirmed its commitment to global surveillance, data sharing and technical guidance to help countries contain the virus.
Mrs. Bechdol also emphasized the importance of engagement in the private sector, especially in Development of vaccines, diagnostics and animal health services of high quality.
The briefing also included a third call for financing proposals during the Pandemic Fund, which hosted the World Bank.
Over the past two years, FAO co-led dozens of pandemic fund projects aimed at strengthening disease monitoring, early warning systems and health infrastructure to prevent future outbreaks.
