Notification - Alert

From: AUC Technical Offices AU-IBAR, AU-PANVAC and Africa-CDC
To:  AU Member States

Situation

Summary

As of 22 November 2020, a highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N8 outbreak in wild birds and poultry has been reported in 12 countries, mainly in western Europe. The virus has been carried across from Southern Russia to Kazakhstan, and now Eastern Europe through migratory birds heading back to their winter feeding grounds primarily in Africa. As these are migratory birds, and even poultry flocks or products, coming into Africa from the affected regions could be carrying the virus, this poses a threat to poultry flock health, farmer livelihoods, and food security on the continent. And while this particular virus has not caused illness in humans to date, the likelihood of a spill-over event that could impact human health should not be ignored.

Background

The HPAI H5N8 virus of concern is of the H5 2.3.4.4.b. clade that has been circulating across Eurasia and into Africa since 2016. The first report regarding this current outbreak came from southern Russian in late July. To date, 12 countries have been impacted: Belgium, Croatia, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Israel, Kazakhstan, Netherlands, Russia, Sweden, and the UK. The species most commonly affected have been wild and domestic fowl (e.g. domestic ducks, geese, chickens, swans).

While the original virus has reassorted with other wild bird influenza viruses to form new strains of H5N5 and H5N1 HPAI virus, no evidence of spillover of this clade into human populations has been detected. However, direct transmission from an infected bird or through another infected animal reservoir, while rare, is possible.

According to World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) reports, several African countries have reported previous HPAI H5 or H7 outbreaks over the past 5 years. Specifically, all five AU regions and at least 15 AU Member States have been impacted (Table 1). Nigeria and South Africa are the only two countries reporting ongoing H5 outbreaks this year.

From 7-10 September, 2020, Animal Welfare stakeholders and representatives from several organization will participate in the 4^th Africa Animal Welfare Conference, which will be held virtually due to the COVID-19 Pandemic travel restrictions. The theme of this year’s conference is “Animal welfare, wildlife and environmental conservation for sustainable development in Africa: Enhancing nature-based solutions.”

The conference is jointly organized by the Africa Union InterAfrican Bureau for Animal Resources (AUIBAR), Africa Network for Animal Welfare (ANAW) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). The representatives of the three institutions will give the opening remarks during the opening session; namely Prof. James Nkansah Obrempong, Board Chair - Africa Network for Animal Welfare; Prof. Ahmed El-Sawalhy, Director and Head of Mission - African Union Intra-African Bureau for Animal Resources; and Alexander Juras, Chief, Civil Society Unit - United Nations Environment Programme.

In attendance will be representatives of Regional Economic Communities, Directors of Veterinary Services, Animal Production Services and Wildlife Conservation/Management Services from African Union Member States, and experts from various institutions and civil society organizations. Several dignitaries will grace the event during the opening session, led by Hon. Peter Munya, Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Cooperatives of the Republic of Kenya; who is set to officially open the event. Hon. Garba Datti Muhammad, Member of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly, Nigeria, will give the Keynote Address. In addition, several goodwill messages will be delivered by partner institutions; namely: Mike Baker, Chief Executive, The Donkey Sanctuary, UK; Wolf Gordon Clifton, Executive Director, Animal People, USA; Tennyson Williams, Regional Director-Africa, World Animal Protection; Dr Karim Tounkara, Africa Regional Representative, OIE; and Dr. Newman Scott, FAO Regional Office for Africa.

The conference theme is aligned to the Agenda 2063, which is Africa’s strategic framework for delivering inclusive and sustainable development goals. The theme speaks specifically to Aspiration Number 1 of the Agenda 2063; that is ‘A prosperous Africa, based on inclusive growth and sustainable development’. The Aspiration is anchored on 5 Goals of the Agenda 2063; namely: (1) A high standard of living, quality of life and wellbeing for all citizens, (3) Healthy and well-nourished citizens, (5) Modern Agriculture for increased productivity and production, (6) Blue/ ocean economy for accelerated economic growth and (7) Environmentally sustainable and climate resilient economies and communities. This Aspiration and the Goals clearly demonstrate the interlinkages between sustainable economic growth, natural resource management, biodiversity conservation, public health and general human welfare.