A recent publication from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) has reaffirmed its stance on vaccination as a potential tool to control avian influenza (AI). The virus, responsible for the deaths of over 633 million birds in the past 20 years, has spread globally and infected various species of wild birds and mammals. Human cases have also been reported, raising concerns about the potential for widespread public health crisis.
According to WOAH’s State of the World’s Animal Health 2025, the ongoing epizootic requires urgent action beyond traditional control measures. The organization acknowledges that containment efforts have been aggressive but notes that more needs to be done. Vaccination is seen as a potential complement to existing measures, reducing both the spread and severity of infections.
The WOAH also highlights the economic and social costs of traditional sanitary control measures, such as mass culling, which may not be sustainable in the long term. However, when implemented properly, vaccination aligns with international trade standards, ensuring that poultry products remain marketable.
This is not the first time the WOAH has emphasized the importance of vaccination. In a 2023 paper, the organization stated that all available science-based disease controls must be considered, including vaccination in certain epidemiological contexts. The latest publication reinforces this stance, framing HPAI as a global emergency with devastating impacts on agriculture, food security, trade, and ecosystems.
Source: https://www.wattagnet.com/blogs/poultry-around-the-world/blog/15752020/avian-influenza-now-a-global-emergency