Bonn, 23 May
2008 - The CMS-FAO Task Force on Avian Influenza
today organised an international seminar
at the Zoological Research Institute and
Museum Alexander Koenig during the UN Conference
on Biodiversity. Participants heard key
lessons from an assessment of recent outbreaks
of 'bird flu' or avian influenza H5N1. These
conclusions were drawn from a world-wide
assessment of responses to recent outbreaks
of H5N1.
CMS Executive Secretary
Robert Hepworth said: "The report stresses
the wide range of actions that need to be
taken to halt the spread of this virus.
It is important that balanced national responses
are undertaken to address the wide range
of mechanisms thorough which the virus has
spread. The meeting condemned the continued
misguided practice of actively killing wild
birds and destroying their nest sites and
wetland habitats in response to, or in avoidance
of, infection within a country, which is
contrary to the recommendations of many
international bodies. Such approaches to
the prevention or control of avian influenza
are wasteful, damaging to conservation and
have no real scientific basis. They may
also exacerbate the problem by causing further
dispersion of infected birds."
In order to respond
effectively to the spread of H5N1, it is
critical that responses to the spread of
this disease are 'ioined-up', both internationally
(between countries), nationally (within
governments), and scientifically (between
different scientific disciplines). Central
to effective responses is the close and
integrated working of the governmental and
non-governmental sectors, bringing together
complementary expertise of epidemiologists,
veterinarians, virologists, biologists and
ornithologists. Guidance on how to respond
to the continued spread of avian influenza
will be given in the document published
by the Scientific Task Force that will be
tabled at the forthcoming conferences of
the African-Eurasian Waterbird Agreement
(AEWA) and the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands
later this year, as well as the CMS Conference
of the Parties in Rome in December.
The workshop noted that
different mechanisms have been responsible
for the spread of HPAI H5N1 at different
times and places. Experience has demonstrated
the critical need for epidemiological investigations
following infection to determine causes
of infection. Such investigations help government
decision-makers restrict the further spread
of the virus through a better understanding
of how the infection spreads.
The development of an
international surveillance and 'early warning
system' for HPAI is important. This should
aim to share data and information a between
researchers and decision makers.
Experience has highlighted
the need to develop contingency plans before
infection arrives so as to address the wide
range of issues posed by HPAI outbreaks.
In particular, strategies for improved communication,
education and public awareness provide important
building blocks to assist and hopefully
restrict future outbreaks of highly pathogenic
avian influenza.
A central conclusion
is the continuing need to further develop
national capacities within government and
elsewhere to respond to the challenges posed
by H5N1 HPAI - not only in responding to
outbreaks, but also preparing for these
through contingency planning and risk assessment.
Whilst much attention
has been focused on H5N1 HPAI, developing
wildlife surveillance programmes will assist
in responding to the spread of other wildlife
diseases. The workshop stressed the need
to take longer-term and integrated perspectives
in responding to the challenges posed by
these diseases.
The global response
to HPAI H5N1 provides an important opportunity
to learn and to build capacity for wildlife
disease surveillance and habitat management
in order to reduce associated risks. This
will assist in controlling both novel and
existing wildlife health problems as well
as reducing impacts on human populations
through the emergence and spread of diseases
than can infect humans.
In the context of both
the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS)
and the Convention on Biological Diversity
(CBD), the issues raised by wildlife diseases
are cross-cutting. They affect conservation
of protected areas and conservation policies
such as breeding programmes associated with
species recovery projects.
Notes to Editors:
1. The Scientific Task Force on Avian Influenza
and Wild Birds was convened in 2005 to create
a liaison mechanism between those international
organisations and intergovernmental environmental
agreements engaged in activities related
to the spread of H5N1 Highly Pathogenic
Avian Influenza (HPAI). The Task Force also
met a need for information on wild birds
to be better reflected in the debate about
H5N1 HPAI and its spread around the world.
It comprises representatives and observers
from 14 international organisations, including
7 UN bodies. UNEP/CMS and FAO act as joint
chairs of the Task Force.
2. The Task Force aims to collect and coordinate
the best scientific advice on the conservation
impact of the spread of HPAI H5N1, including
assessing the role of migratory birds as
vectors of the virus. It aims to ensure
that national and international policies
on HPAI H5N1 are based on best available
data and information. Its work has been
crucial to help develop collaborations and
joint work programmes, and has thus enhanced
the effectiveness of responses.
2. An international
workshop organised by the Task Force took
place in Aviemore, Scotland, from 26 to
28 June 2007 to address 'Practical Lessons
Learned' in relation to the spread of Highly
Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1 outbreaks.
This brought together Task Force members
as well as national experts from around
the world, with experience of handling outbreaks
with the aim of reviewing practical issues
arising, and lessons learnt, from recent
HPAI outbreaks.
3. The workshop provided
a platform for active debate and the sharing
of information on practical responses to
avian influenza with a focus on reviewing
recent experiences of dealing with outbreaks.
Guidelines on good practice responses were
collated to assist to those responsible
for responding to HPAI outbreaks, wildlife
experts, and managers of protected areas.
4. The conclusions of
the workshop can be found at: http://www.aiweb.info/documents/Aviemore%20conclusions.pdf
5. The Convention on the Conservation of
Migratory Species of Wild Animals aims to
conserve terrestrial, marine and avian migratory
species and their habitats throughout their
range. It is an intergovernmental treaty,
concluded under the aegis of UNEP, concerned
with the conservation of wildlife and habitats
on a global scale. UNEP/CMS is addressing
all threats to the survival of migratory
animals and to the migration process itself
such as light pollution, climate change,
by-catch, wind turbines, ship strikes, power
lines, as well as habitat degradation and
loss. The Convention was adopted in Bonn,
Germany, on 23 June 1979 and entered into
force on 1 November 1983. Today, 108 countries
are Parties to the Convention.
Contact:
Ms Veronika LenarzUNEP/CMS Secretariat
Hermann-Ehlers-Str. 10
