More than 1,000 international scientists and industry professionals recently convened for the International Avian Influenza and One Health Emerging Issues Summit, hosted by the University of Arkansas (U of A) Center of Excellence for Poultry Science in Fayetteville, Arkansas on September 30-October 3, 2024. As an ongoing outbreak continues to affect global wild and domestic bird populations, as well as North American dairy cattle herds, the event focused on discussions around highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1, and how to prevent the virus from infecting more species and continuing to impact animal and human health, the environment, and the economy.

Summit participants will produce a document with guidelines and recommendations for national and international health authorities, based on group discussions and expert presentations, to help guide future efforts in combatting HPAI.

The Summit was designed in alignment with the One Health concept, which emphasizes that animal, human, and environmental health are all interconnected. Beyond HPAI, other animal pathogens and viruses affecting food safety and public health were discussed.

Members of industry, government and regulatory agencies, and scientists from around the world presented their work at the Summit.

For example, Tomi Obe, Ph.D., Assistant Professor with the U of A Center of Excellence for Poultry Science and the Poultry Science Department, presented research on pre- and post-harvest strategies for Salmonella control in poultry production. She discussed different methods to consider at feed mills, farms, and processing. Dr. Obe is also part of the Arkansas Center for Food Safety within the food science department.  

Additionally, Bill Potter, Ph.D., Associate Professor and Extension Poultry Specialist with the U of A Division of Agriculture, discussed One Health strategies to optimize poultry intestinal integrity and pre-harvest food safety. He discussed proposed regulations around Salmonella and shared research showing the efficacy of implementing vaccines in poultry.

In addition to researchers, veterinarians and private sector professionals attended the Summit.  

Liliana Monroy, Founder and CEO of Natural Animal Health, said that she has created a long-standing, trusting relationship with researchers with the U of S Division of Agriculture, and that “collaboration is vital” to fighting highly pathogenic avian influenza. "If you want to be successful, you have to go to the people who know more,” Monroy said. “And you need to work very closely with professors and researchers. We cannot work in silos. Since we come from different backgrounds, we need to unite efforts with doctors, environmental entities, leaders in the private sector, and so on."

Ms. Monroy, who also presented during the conference, stated that biosecurity protocols, although crucial to preventing the spread of HPAI, have also created many roadblocks for businesses and producers.