Risk Wise

synthesise information on the routes and timing of waterbird migra-

tion, especially of poorly known intra-African migrants, and birds

using Central Asian, Asia-Pacific and Neotropical flyways. We need

to strengthen bird research worldwide, especially in areas where little

or no ringing and counting schemes have operated in the past so as

to provide a sound scientific basis for risk assessments. We need to

publish the results of these studies and other relevant data in new

flyway atlases made widely available and accessible on the Internet.

We need better and integrated data on trade in domestic poultry

and other birds to build epidemiological models. Research into the

following epidemiological and ecological aspects of HPAI H5N1 in

wild bird populations should be increased:

• Prevalence of HPAI H5N1 in various wild bird populations

• Ecology of the virus in the environment

• Natural mortality rates in wild bird populations

• Identification of higher risk species, that is, those with high suscep-

tibility to HPAI H5N1 and/or those that have a relatively higher

risk of spreading it.

We need research on the behaviour and ecology of those migratory

and non-migratory bird species living in close association with

humans and poultry, which might act as a ‘bridge’ for the transmis-

sion of HPAI between waterbirds and poultry. Such research should

aim to develop practical guidance on ways and means of reducing

this risk.

Guidance on responding to HPAI H5N1

Responding to the perceived threat, as well as to outbreaks

of HPAI H5N1, involves a wide range of activities from

preparing contingency plans to sampling wild birds and

dealing with the media. Additional complexity is added

by the varying scales at which these activities must be

completed, for example contingency plans are required

at the international, national, subnational and site levels.

Since 2005, a large body of guidance on responding to

the spread of HPAI H5N1 has been produced, including

much material made available through FAO and OIE

websites. This includes guidance related to surveillance,

enhanced biosecurity, contingency planning and prepa-

ration, and responses to outbreaks of HPAI infection.

A guide to this guidance has been produced and is

available as part of Ramsar Resolution X.21.

The guide

consists of a framework, which provides a conceptual

map; and a directory of materials, which organizes the

guidance under a number of separate issues and

provides source information including web links.

What governments are encouraged to do

Governments are encouraged to:

• Avoid unjustified and counter-productive measures

such as culling of wild birds and destruction of the

natural habitats on which they depend

• Undertake transparent, structured, science-based risk

assessments making use of all available knowledge

• Establish and test emergency response strategies for

various spatial scales incorporating lessons learned

from associated responses

• Implement wild bird surveillance and research

programmes

• Conduct comprehensive epidemiological investiga-

tions of HPAI H5N1 outbreaks and share resulting

data with the global community

• Involve those with relevant scientific expertize

including specialist ornithologists in developing

such risk assessments and response strategies, as

well as in designing wild bird surveillance

programmes and conducting epidemiological inves-

tigations of outbreaks

• Cooperate internationally in the exchange of all rele-

vant data and information

• Increase capacity where needed for wildlife disease

surveillance and management

• Develop communication programmes aimed at

promoting balanced understanding and awareness of

actual risks and appropriate responses in all stake-

holder groups, including poultry keepers, to reduce

risks to human health and increase early disease

diagnosis; the media, to improve accuracy and avail-

ability of messages; the public, to aid in public

reporting for surveillance programmes; and habitat

managers, to improve contingency planning.

Thanks to Ruth Cromie and other members of the

Scientific Task Force on Avian Influenza & Wild Birds

who provided input.

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Image: Pablo Beldomenico