sharon sanders
Editor-in-Chief & President
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Nature Reviews Biodiversity
volume 1, pages7–9 (2025)
snip
Science and policy needs
The magnitude of H5N1’s direct and indirect effects on species, ecosystems and human health and well-being are uncertain. Progress is needed in both basic research and policy — especially transboundary management. The most critical research need is to address the pervasive knowledge gap about the virus’s actual effects, particularly in understudied and biodiverse regions such as central Africa (Fig. 1a). Monitoring should escalate in marine birds and mammals, as well as terrestrial scavengers, because those groups appear to be infected at the highest rates. Monitoring birds whose flyways include currently unaffected regions is also urgently needed. Mapping the risk of H5N1 infection would help to prioritize surveillance efforts and minimize the effects if the virus eventually spreads to new regions. Vaccination of threatened species against avian flu should be debated and considered, but is only likely to be feasible in specific cases. Knowledge of animal ecology, particularly animal movement, and its influence on H5N1 spread is necessary to predict the evolution of the virus and the potential efficacy of interventions.
In terms of policy, global collaboration is essential for surveillance, early diagnosis, monitoring, sharing of information and provision of financial and technical instruments, particularly in disadvantaged areas. Currently, several international organizations (such as OFFLU, European Food Safety Authority, and SCAR) are working to improve information sharing. However, in many regions, the lack of funds and infrastructure for testing and monitoring are challenges that are difficult to overcome.
The root cause of this pathogen’s emergence, spread and spillover must be addressed through changes to food production systems and consumption patterns[SUP]2[/SUP]. Separating wildlife from existing intensive production systems that boost the virus virulence and transmission would help in the short term. However, deeper transformative changes are required, such as making food production systems healthier and more sustainable. In a globalized and interconnected world, any strategy to deal with threats such as H5N1 must stress the connection between nature and people (namely, a One Health approach), given that disconnection will continue to precipitate biodiversity loss.
more...
https://www.nature.com/articles/s44358-024-00008-7
- Comment
- Published: 15 January 2025
Nature Reviews Biodiversity
volume 1, pages7–9 (2025)
snip
Science and policy needs
The magnitude of H5N1’s direct and indirect effects on species, ecosystems and human health and well-being are uncertain. Progress is needed in both basic research and policy — especially transboundary management. The most critical research need is to address the pervasive knowledge gap about the virus’s actual effects, particularly in understudied and biodiverse regions such as central Africa (Fig. 1a). Monitoring should escalate in marine birds and mammals, as well as terrestrial scavengers, because those groups appear to be infected at the highest rates. Monitoring birds whose flyways include currently unaffected regions is also urgently needed. Mapping the risk of H5N1 infection would help to prioritize surveillance efforts and minimize the effects if the virus eventually spreads to new regions. Vaccination of threatened species against avian flu should be debated and considered, but is only likely to be feasible in specific cases. Knowledge of animal ecology, particularly animal movement, and its influence on H5N1 spread is necessary to predict the evolution of the virus and the potential efficacy of interventions.
In terms of policy, global collaboration is essential for surveillance, early diagnosis, monitoring, sharing of information and provision of financial and technical instruments, particularly in disadvantaged areas. Currently, several international organizations (such as OFFLU, European Food Safety Authority, and SCAR) are working to improve information sharing. However, in many regions, the lack of funds and infrastructure for testing and monitoring are challenges that are difficult to overcome.
The root cause of this pathogen’s emergence, spread and spillover must be addressed through changes to food production systems and consumption patterns[SUP]2[/SUP]. Separating wildlife from existing intensive production systems that boost the virus virulence and transmission would help in the short term. However, deeper transformative changes are required, such as making food production systems healthier and more sustainable. In a globalized and interconnected world, any strategy to deal with threats such as H5N1 must stress the connection between nature and people (namely, a One Health approach), given that disconnection will continue to precipitate biodiversity loss.
more...
https://www.nature.com/articles/s44358-024-00008-7