tetano
Editor, Senior Moderator
Front Vet Sci
. 2026 Oct 19:13:1814751.
doi: 10.3389/fvets.2026.1814751. eCollection 2026.
Robyn Alders 1 2 , Brigitte Bagnol 3 , Md Ahasanul Hoque 4
Affiliations Expand
Early detection and control of high- and low-pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI, LPAI) in family poultry flocks remain challenging in settings where mortality from enzootic diseases such as Newcastle disease (ND) and infectious bursal disease (IBD) is persistently high. High background mortality obscures recognition of unusual disease events and delays reporting. In addition to epidemiological constraints, rebuilding trust among family poultry producers, particularly those affected by uncompensated culling during previous HPAI outbreaks, is essential for effective control. Locally grounded, participatory approaches that recognize the lived experience of both women and men poultry keepers are required to strengthen surveillance, reporting, and response. This policy-oriented rapid review synthesized 110 peer-reviewed publications and 27 policy and guidance documents to examine the structural, epidemiological and socio-economic factors influencing HPAI and LPAI prevention and control in family poultry systems. Effective HPAI and LPAI control should be embedded within a broader, systems-oriented strategy that improves overall poultry productivity and explicitly values smallholder knowledge and participation. A multi-hazard risk management approach grounded in One Health is required, i.e., one that addresses equity, food and nutrition security, livelihoods, climate resilience, and global health. Building on a nine-factor assessment of the factors shaping avian influenza control feasibility, we group practical entry points into three complementary themes: (1) structural constraints within family poultry production systems, including the use of locally adapted poultry genotypes, safe, improved access to safe markets and sustainable feed systems, and effective control of enzootic vaccine-preventable diseases; (2) governance, institutional and social barriers, including culturally appropriate outbreak preparedness and response protocols; (3) gender and socio-economic equity, encompassing participatory approaches grounded in inclusivity, transparency, and accountability. Functional cross-sectoral collaboration between public health, animal health, and environmental sectors, along with local government, is essential if One Health approaches are to deliver tangible, cost-effective reductions in zoonotic risk and effective response while supporting sustainable household food and nutrition security.
Keywords: One Health; avian influenza; community engagement; gender; multi-hazard risk management; systems approach; vaccine-preventable poultry diseases.
. 2026 Oct 19:13:1814751.
doi: 10.3389/fvets.2026.1814751. eCollection 2026.
Rethinking avian influenza control: a systems-oriented One Health perspective for family poultry
Robyn Alders 1 2 , Brigitte Bagnol 3 , Md Ahasanul Hoque 4
Affiliations Expand
- PMID: 42973760
- PMCID: PMC13725106
- DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2026.1814751
Abstract
Early detection and control of high- and low-pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI, LPAI) in family poultry flocks remain challenging in settings where mortality from enzootic diseases such as Newcastle disease (ND) and infectious bursal disease (IBD) is persistently high. High background mortality obscures recognition of unusual disease events and delays reporting. In addition to epidemiological constraints, rebuilding trust among family poultry producers, particularly those affected by uncompensated culling during previous HPAI outbreaks, is essential for effective control. Locally grounded, participatory approaches that recognize the lived experience of both women and men poultry keepers are required to strengthen surveillance, reporting, and response. This policy-oriented rapid review synthesized 110 peer-reviewed publications and 27 policy and guidance documents to examine the structural, epidemiological and socio-economic factors influencing HPAI and LPAI prevention and control in family poultry systems. Effective HPAI and LPAI control should be embedded within a broader, systems-oriented strategy that improves overall poultry productivity and explicitly values smallholder knowledge and participation. A multi-hazard risk management approach grounded in One Health is required, i.e., one that addresses equity, food and nutrition security, livelihoods, climate resilience, and global health. Building on a nine-factor assessment of the factors shaping avian influenza control feasibility, we group practical entry points into three complementary themes: (1) structural constraints within family poultry production systems, including the use of locally adapted poultry genotypes, safe, improved access to safe markets and sustainable feed systems, and effective control of enzootic vaccine-preventable diseases; (2) governance, institutional and social barriers, including culturally appropriate outbreak preparedness and response protocols; (3) gender and socio-economic equity, encompassing participatory approaches grounded in inclusivity, transparency, and accountability. Functional cross-sectoral collaboration between public health, animal health, and environmental sectors, along with local government, is essential if One Health approaches are to deliver tangible, cost-effective reductions in zoonotic risk and effective response while supporting sustainable household food and nutrition security.
Keywords: One Health; avian influenza; community engagement; gender; multi-hazard risk management; systems approach; vaccine-preventable poultry diseases.