World Egg Organisation: Tackling avian influenza together

In the fight against avian influenza, there is an urgent need for cross-sector collaboration and science-led strategies, including vaccination in laying hens. Photo: Canva

The World Egg Organisation held a high-level event on 22 May in Geneva, Switzerland, uniting leading voices from animal health, public health, and the global egg industry to address the ongoing challenges posed by highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI).

Taking place on the sidelines of the 78th World Health Assembly of the World Health Organization (WHO), the event highlighted the urgent need for cross-sector collaboration and science-led strategies, including vaccination in laying hens. The session, titled ‘Tackling avian flu together’, was attended by representatives from WHO member states and international organisations.

World Egg Organisation chair, Juan Felipe Montoya Muñoz, emphasised the importance of a united approach: “The World Egg Organisation represents egg farmers, big and small, around the world – many are on the frontline dealing with avian influenza. We are committed to a ‘One Health’ approach and strengthening collaboration with WHO and the other quadripartite organisations.”

Pandemic preparedness

World Egg Organisation director general, Julian Madeley, also represented the industry at a side event on Sunday 18 May, hosted by the Global Preparedness Monitoring Board, titled ‘The new face of pandemic preparedness’. Madeley shared the egg sector’s experiences and perspectives on the future of highly pathogenic avian influenza control, reinforcing the critical need for vaccination in laying hens as an additional tool for egg farmers.

Commenting on the events, Madeley said: “Thank you to WHO for all the leadership and support you provide to us as we work towards the same goals. The message is clear: we must act together to safeguard animal health, human health, and global food security under the ‘One Health’ principal.”