The spread of H5N1 avian influenza is causing major poultry losses worldwide, impacting food security and driving up costs. FAO stresses the need for stronger biosecurity, surveillance, and coordinated global efforts to mitigate its effects.

The spread of H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) is escalating, with hundreds of millions of poultry lost globally, significantly affecting food security, nutrition, and the poultry sector's economic stability. The outbreak, which has seen increased spillover into mammals, has triggered urgent calls from the FAO for enhanced biosecurity measures, surveillance, and rapid-response systems.

FAO Deputy Director-General Godfrey Magwenzi described the situation as unprecedented, noting that "serious impacts on food security" are evident, especially with the loss of rural jobs, income, and increased consumer prices. The disease is also endangering biodiversity, with at least 300 wild bird species affected since 2021.

FAO and the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) have launched a ten-year strategy to prevent and control avian influenza, urging countries to improve laboratory capacity, preparedness plans, and biosecurity practices. FAO’s Beth Bechdol stressed the importance of a unified global approach, saying, "A chain is only as strong as its weakest link."

This outbreak not only threatens poultry production but also highlights the need for collaboration between public and private sectors to secure responsible value chains and develop new technologies for prevention and control.