• Overview
  • Schedule

Background

Zoonotic influenza, or animal influenza viruses that can infect humans, remains a threat to the Asia-Pacific region and countries worldwide. Highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) is an example of direct animal-to-human transmissions, predominantly causing health issues to humans and animals, disrupting farmers' livelihoods and food security.

The COVID-19 pandemic, a human public health crisis resulting from a virus of potential animal origin, also underlined the need to apply the One Health concept in understanding and confronting global health risks.

With this growing concern, the Regional Quadripartite for Asia and the Pacific (FAO, UNEP, WHO and WOAH) invites you to a conversation with experts to discuss preparedness and prevention measures to reduce the risk of a pandemic influenza outbreak.

The two-day webinar consists of experts from various backgrounds, including surveillance and laboratory, as well as sharing knowledge and best practices among countries in the region.

The webinar aims to promote information exchange and interactions between sectors relating to zoonotic influenza by using the One Health approach. The webinar is hoped to reinforce multisectoral coordination and collaboration to achieve optimal national coordination amongst partners and agencies through strategic communication.

Expected outputs

  • Guidance provided to the targeted public on future collaboration related to zoonotic influenza in the region
  • Enhanced awareness about zoonotic influenza to advocate for improved control policies
  • Enhanced multisectoral coordination and information sharing at the national level
  • Improved knowledge of best practices for multisectoral coordination relating to zoonotic influenza

Recorded Sessions

Day 1

Day 2

 

08 May 2023

Time & Place
Event Details
10:00
Session 1: Opening and Introduction Chair: WHO SEARO - Dr. Gyanendra Gongal

Opening Remarks

- Dr Kachen Wongsathapornchai ECTAD Regional Manager (FAO)
- Ms Marlene Nilsson-Deputy Regional Director (UNEP)
- Dr Jessica Kayamori Lopes (WHO WPRO) Technical officer for Food Safety and Zoonosis
- Dr Ronello Abilla (WOAH) Sub-Regional Representative for South-East Asia
10:20
Overview of the webinar and objectives Jessica Kayamori Lopes (WHO WPRO)
10:30
Session 2: Global and regional actions and situation in Zoonotic influenza Chair: Ms Makiko Yashiro - UNEP

1. Global and regional situation in Human Health, Jessica Kayamori Lopes, WHO
2. Global and regional situation in Animal Health, Gael Lamielle (TBC), FAO and Chantanee Buranathai, WOAH
3. Global and regional situation in Environmental Health, Marie-yon Struecker, UNEP
11:15
Session 3: Control strategies Chair: FAO – Dr. Filip Claes

1. Integrated Surveillance and Available Tools and mechanisms, Prof Yoshihiro Sakoda, Head of WOAH Reference Laboratory for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Japan

2. Good practices in the farm level and Vaccination, Prof Hualan Chen, Director of the National Avian Influenza Reference Laboratory of China, WOAH Reference Laboratory for HPAI and LPAI, and FAO Animal Influenza Reference Center, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, China P.R.
11:35
Panel Discussion: Surveillance and Vaccination Dr S. Nagarajan, Principal Scientist, ICAR-National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases, India

Dr Hendra Wibawa, Senior Researcher, Disease Investigation Center Wates, Indonesia
12:15
Closing session - Day 1 Dr. Filip Claes (FAO)

09 May 2023

Time & Place
Event Details
10:05
Session 4: Country experiences in zoonotic influenza surveillance Chair: WHO SEARO - Dr. Gyanendra Gongal

1. Effective information exchange and multisectoral collaboration, Republic of Korea – Mr Sunjong Bae, Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency

2. Zoonotic influenza sampling and laboratory diagnostics, Cambodia – Dr Erik Karlsson, Institute Pasteur Cambodge

3. Good practices surveillance in Humans, Malaysia – Dr Rohani Jahis, Head of Zoonotic Sector, Ministry of Health

4. Surveillance system in backyard farming, Bangladesh - Dr Sukanta Chowdhury, International Center for Diarrhoeal Diseases Research
10:55
Session 5: Country experiences - Good practices in disease/outbreak management Chair: WOAH- Dr. Lesa Thompson

1. Management of zoonotic influenza in Traditional Food Markets

Hong Kong – Dr. Ivan Chong, Veterinary Officer
Mr. Kwok Lap-hei, Barry- Chief Health Inspector
Mr. LO Siu-kee- Senior Health Inspector (Market Management)

2. Experience from subnational levels

Indonesia – to be confirmed (FAO)

3. Vaccination programmes and techniques

Vietnam – to be confirmed (FAO)
11:30
Session 6: Recommendations and conclusion Chair: WHO WPRO - Ms Lieke Visser

Conclusion and recommendations

FAO – Dr Filip Claes
UNEP – Ms Makiko Yashiro
WHO – Dr Gyanendra Gongal
WOAH – Dr Lesa Thompson