19th National Influenza Centres Meeting urges region to strengthen efforts as avian influenza A(H5N1) outbreaks increase
As more countries in the Asia-Pacific region grapple with outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5N1) impacting animals, with the potential for spillover to humans, countries are being urged to ensure their health systems are prepared to swiftly detect and respond to this zoonotic threat.
This week, over 150 influenza experts, laboratory scientists and public health officials concluded the 19th Biregional Meeting of National Influenza Centres and Influenza Surveillance co-organized by the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for South-East Asia and Regional Office for the Western Pacific. The three-day online gathering from 25 to 27 August 2026 examined how surveillance data can be turned into faster, more effective public health decisions, including in response to the ongoing spread of HPAI A(H5N1) in birds in the Pacific. The meeting brought together influenza programmes, national influenza laboratories, WHO collaborating centres and H5 reference laboratories to craft a common approach to influenza and respiratory virus surveillance, in line with the Global Influenza Strategy (2019–2030) and the Pandemic Influenza Preparedness (PIP) Framework.
Spotlight on A(H5N1) in the Pacific
A central highlight of this year’s meeting was a dedicated session on One Health coordination mechanisms, featuring case studies on the region’s response to the incursions of HPAI A(H5N1) in Australia and New Zealand and its threat to the wider Pacific region. One Health underscores the interconnectedness of animal, human and environmental health, bringing multiple sectors together to strengthen health emergency preparedness and response, including pandemic preparedness.
Australia presented on its national responses following the recent incursion of the virus in bird populations, as well as preparedness measures taken in the Pacific in anticipation of further spread. Bangladesh offered a country perspective on how One Health coordination connects human, animal and laboratory surveillance to support early detection, information-sharing and joint investigation of zoonotic influenza signals.
In response to the threat posed by HPAI A(H5N1), WHO convened regional partners and multisectoral experts including the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), the Pacific Community (SPC) and national public health, animal and wildlife experts to develop a Rapid Joint One Health Risk Assessment (JRA). The JRA determines the risk of incursion of HPAI A(H5N1) into Pacific island countries and areas to identify key preparedness activities and ensure national readiness to respond.
“Although influenza surveillance is one of the world’s oldest and most mature disease surveillance systems, the recent HPAI A(H5N1) arrival in Australia and New Zealand is a sharp reminder that vigilance cannot lapse,” said Dr Saia Ma’u Piukala, WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific. “Effective One Health coordination - linking human, animal and environmental health authorities - is essential to detecting, characterizing and acting on zoonotic threats quickly enough to protect both public health and livelihoods.”
Read the full article:
https://www.who.int/southeastasia/news/detail/27-08-2026-asia-pacific-regional-influenza-network-sharpens-focus-on-avian-influenza-preparedness