AU-IBAR Backs Regional Strategy to Curb Avian Influenza Across West Africa

As part of its continental mandate to improve animal health, veterinary governance, and transboundary disease control, AU-IBAR attended the Sub-Regional Validation Workshop on Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), Risk Assessment, and Updated HPAI Prevention and Control Strategy. This event was held in Bissau, Guinea-Bissau, from October 13 to 17, 2025.

AU-IBAR, led by Dr Annie Lewa-Kigezo, Senior Programmes and Projects Officer, was instrumental in fostering regional debate and providing technical support on disease prevention frameworks aligned with the One Health approach. AU-IBAR's participation underlined its commitment to developing resilient animal health systems and fostering cross-border collaboration to protect both animal and public health throughout Africa.

The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) organised the workshop as part of the regional project TCP/SFW/4002, "Strengthening the Prevention and Control of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) Epizootics in Four West African Countries." It brought together veterinary, public health, and wildlife professionals from all 15 ECOWAS Member States, as well as regional and international institutions such as FAO, WOAH, WHO, AU-IBAR, GIZ, WAHO, and CRSA/ECOWAS, poultry sector organisations, and academia.

The main objective of the workshop was to review and validate the updated HPAI risk assessment report and the proposed regional strategy for prevention and control, ensuring alignment with the latest epidemiological realities and regional priorities. The strategy seeks to strengthen coordination, surveillance, and biosecurity measures across West Africa to reduce the socio-economic impacts of avian influenza on livelihoods and food systems.

Drawing on its extensive institutional experience in leading the Support Programme for Integrated National Action Plans for Avian Influenza (SPINAP) and other continental disease-control initiatives, AU-IBAR provided strategic guidance and lessons learned on building effective governance and monitoring frameworks.

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Dr Lewa-Kigezo (LEFT picture) participated in technical seminars and group discussions, emphasising the importance of coordinated surveillance, laboratory networks, and data-driven decision-making. She emphasised AU-IBAR's ongoing support for regional coordination structures that link animal, human, and environmental health sectors within the One Health framework. 

The workshop concluded with validation and support for the updated HPAI risk assessment report and the regional preventive and control strategy. ECOWAS Member States agreed on additional adjustments before adoption, with AU-IBAR identified as a significant technical partner in assuring the final strategy's quality, coherence, and continental alignment.

AU-IBAR's involvement went beyond document validation to advance a broader continental agenda: improving Africa's animal health landscape through innovation, collaboration, and proactive governance. AU-IBAR continues to spearhead efforts that combine science, policy, and practice, ensuring that regional frameworks are translated into actionable steps for disease prevention, food security, and economic resilience. AU-IBAR's contribution to the ECOWAS HPAI Strategy increased regional cooperation while also reinforcing its role in fostering healthier livestock, better food systems, and stronger public health security.