Regional webinar strengthens collaboration among WHO, FAO, WOAH, WHO Collaborating Centres and Member States to advance surveillance, laboratory capacity, risk assessment and preparedness for zoonotic influenza.
Regional experts, WHO Collaborating Centres and partner organizations participate in the WHO South-East Asia Regional Webinar on zoonotic influenza.
Photo credit: WHO SEARO
Zoonotic influenza continues to present a complex and evolving public health challenge. While sustained human-to-human transmission of highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) has not been documented, Avian influenza viruses (AIVs) continue to circulate and evolve in animals, sporadic human infections continue to occur, and the virus has expanded into new animal hosts and geographic areas. These developments underline the importance of strong disease surveillance, rapid investigations, timely information and virus sharing, and close collaboration across human, animal and environmental health sectors. The WHO Regional Office for South-East Asia (WHO SEARO) convened a regional webinar entitled “Zoonotic Influenza: Advancing a One Health Approach to Strengthen Collaborative Surveillance, Preparedness and Response” The webinar brought together experts from WHO headquarters, WHO SEARO, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), WHO Collaborating Centres and Member States to review the latest global and regional epidemiological situation and identify priority actions for strengthening surveillance, preparedness and response to zoonotic influenza.
The webinar provided an opportunity to review the evolving zoonotic influenza situation, share recent surveillance and laboratory findings, discuss experiences from Member States and WHO Collaborating Centres, and strengthen collaboration across the human, animal and environmental health sectors through a One Health approach.
In her opening remarks, the Ag. Regional Emergency Director (RED), WHO South-East Asia Region, Ms. Dhamari NAIDOO, underscored the importance of sustained preparedness and reliable surveillance information for effective public health decision-making.
In her opening remarks, Ms Dhamari Naidoo, Acting Regional Emergency Director (RED), WHO South-East Asia Region, underscored the importance of sustained preparedness and timely, reliable surveillance information for effective public health decision-making.
“Timely and reliable data are essential for effective decision-making, early warning and response,” she emphasized.
She highlighted influenza as a persistent public health threat and reflected on lessons learned from recent pandemics, emphasizing the need for sustained preparedness for influenza and other respiratory pathogens with pandemic potential.
‘The Acting Regional Emergency Director delivers the opening remarks during the regional webinar on zoonotic influenza. Photo credit : WHO SEARO
The global situation presented during the webinar illustrated the continuing diversity and geographic spread of zoonotic influenza viruses.
The webinar highlighted the continuing diversity, evolution and geographic spread of zoonotic influenza viruses globally.
Since 2003, more than 1 000 human infections with avian influenza A(H5N1) viruses have been reported from 25 countries. Most infections have been associated with direct or indirect exposure to infected animals or contaminated environments, and many have resulted in severe disease or deaths. Genetic analyses have shown that viruses detected in humans are closely related to those circulating in local animal populations. To date, there is no evidence of sustained human-to-human transmission.
The current situation is particularly shaped by the continued diversification and geographic spread of A(H5N1) viruses of clade 2.3.4.4b, alongside the detection of zoonotic infections caused by other influenza subtypes, including A(H9N2) and swine influenza viruses (SIVs).
At the same time, the joint FAO-WHO-WOAH assessment presented during the webinar assessed the global public health risk posed by Gs/Gd-like HPAI A(H5) viruses as low, while noting that the risk associated with occupational exposure may range from low to moderate, depending on surveillance mechanisms, local epidemiological conditions and risk mitigation measures. The assessment also emphasized that the situation could change rapidly as new epidemiological and virological information becomes available.
This distinction is important: a low current global public health risk does not imply that surveillance and preparedness efforts can be reduced. Rather, it reinforces the need for robust systems capable of detecting changes early, enabling timely risk reassessment and public health action.
Dr Aspen Hammond, Global Influenza Programme, WHO, provides an update on the global zoonotic influenza situation and highlights the importance of collaborative surveillance, risk assessment and preparedness at the human-animal interface. Photo: WHO SEARO
Turning Surveillance data into Public Health Intelligence and Action
Across the Region, influenza surveillance systems generate substantial epidemiological, virological and genomic data. As of 2 August 2026, Member States had tested 68 922 respiratory specimens, of which 6 693 were positive for influenza, corresponding to an overall positivity rate of 9.7%. Among characterized influenza viruses, Influenza A(H3N2) accounted for 53.2%, followed by Influenza A(H1N1) pdm09 (30.7%) and influenza B/Victoria lineage viruses (15.1%).
However, the webinar emphasized that the value of surveillance extends beyond the number of specimens tested. Surveillance is not solely about data collection; its true value lies in transforming data into actionable public health intelligence that can inform policy and decision-making.
This requires effective systems for laboratory confirmation, virus characterization, genomic analysis, information sharing, risk assessment, and communication and coordination across sectors.
Recent Human Infections Reinforce the Need for Vigilance
The webinar reviewed recent human infections with avian influenza A(H5) viruses reported in the Region and discussed their implications for public health preparedness, surveillance and response.
Dr Pushpa Ranjan Wijesinghe, Programme Area Manager, Pandemic and Epidemic Management (PEM), Health Emergencies Department, WHO Regional Office for South-East Asia, reported that 10 human A(H5N1) cases were detected between 1 January 2025 and 20 May 2026, including seven cases from Bangladesh and three from India. All cases were reported through the International Health Regulations (IHR) reporting mechanism and the WHO Event Information Site.
These events reinforce the importance of maintaining multiple pathways for the detection of human cases, including routine influenza-like illness (ILI) and severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) surveillance, event-based surveillance, investigations associated with animal outbreaks, surveillance among exposed populations, and laboratory investigation of unusual respiratory illnesses.
The webinar identified five priority areas for continued strengthening:
- Detection of human infections and zoonotic spillover events
- Laboratory capacity and virus characterization
- Timely information and virus sharing
- One Health coordination and event-based surveillance
- Translation of surveillance data into public health action
Dr Pushpa Wijesinghe, WHO South-East Asia Regional Office, presents a regional update on recent human infections with zoonotic influenza and their public health implications, highlighting the importance of timely detection, surveillance and preparedness across the Region.
Photo: WHO SEARO
Haytham Saber, WHO South-East Asia Regional Office, presents an overview of influenza surveillance in the Region, highlighting surveillance performance, data generation and sharing, laboratory capacity, and progress in strengthening influenza preparedness across Member States.
Photo: WHO SEARO
Global and regional perspectives on animal influenza
The animal health dimension was a central component of the webinar.
Dr Gounalan Pavade of WOAH presented global and regional updates on animal influenza, highlighting the importance of scientific collaboration, the global animal influenza network, and coordination between the animal and human health communities. The session reinforced the importance of evidence-based risk assessment and the timely sharing of information across sectors.
The discussions reflected the increasingly interconnected nature of influenza surveillance. Changes in influenza viruses circulating among poultry, wild birds and other animal populations can have important implications for human health, making close collaboration among the public health, veterinary and environmental sectors essential.
Dr Gounalan Pavade, Senior Scientific Coordinator for Avian Influenza, WOAH, presents the latest global and regional developments in animal influenza and the evolving epidemiology of avian influenza viruses. Photo: WHO SEARO
Science and Laboratory Evidence Strengthen Risk Assessment
The webinar also brought together experts from WHO Collaborating Centres to discuss influenza ecology, virus evolution, virological surveillance and cross-species transmission.
Dr Thomas Fabrizio, from the WHO Collaborating Centre for Studies on the Ecology of Influenza in Animals at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, presented recent findings on influenza ecology, virus evolution, transmission barriers and the risk of cross-species transmission.
The session highlighted the importance of genetic and virological characterization in understanding emerging avian influenza viruses and informing assessments of their pandemic potential. Recent avian influenza virus isolates discussed during the session were characterized in detail, including their genetic relationships, reassortment patterns and molecular markers associated with virus transmission and adaptation.
Dr Thomas Fabrizio, Scientist at the WHO Collaborating Centre for Studies on the Ecology of Influenza in Animals at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, discusses advances in understanding avian influenza virus (AIV) ecology, evolution, transmission barriers and the risk of cross-species transmission. Photo: WHO SEARO
The webinar also featured Maria Bragina from the WHO Collaborating Centre for Studies on Influenza at the Animal-Human Interface in the Russian Federation.
Her presentation focused on virological surveillance of influenza viruses at the animal-human interface, drawing on the experience of a WHO Collaborating Centre. The session highlighted lessons learned, key challenges and practical recommendations for strengthening surveillance and preparedness in Member States of the WHO South-East Asia Region.
The presentation highlighted approaches to surveillance at the animal-human interface, laboratory findings and lessons learned that can support countries in strengthening surveillance and characterization of animal influenza viruses with zoonotic potential.
Together, the two WHO Collaborating Centre presentations demonstrated the complementary roles of ecological surveillance, virological surveillance, laboratory characterization, genomic analysis and epidemiological investigation in understanding and assessing zoonotic influenza risks.
Dr Maria Bragina, WHO Collaborating Centre for Influenza, shares perspectives on virological surveillance of influenza viruses at the animal-human interface, highlighting the role of laboratory evidence in the assessment of zoonotic influenza risks.
Photo: WHO SEARO
From the One Health concept to coordinated action
Dr Gyanendra Gongal, Senior Public Health Officer, WHO South-East Asia Regional Office, presented on “Zoonotic Influenza, One Health and the Quadripartite Partnership”, highlighting the evolution of the One Health approach in Asia and the growing need for multisectoral collaboration to address increasingly complex health threats.
His presentation traced the evolution of the Tripartite and Quadripartite partnerships, including the long-standing collaboration among FAO, WOAH and WHO on avian influenza and other zoonotic threats. He emphasized that, in an increasingly interconnected world, no single discipline or sector possesses all the expertise and resources required to prevent, detect and respond to emerging and re-emerging diseases.
The presentation also highlighted the regional One Health architecture in Asia and the Pacific, which brings together FAO, WOAH, WHO and UNEP, alongside national authorities, technical partners, academia and other stakeholders.
“One Health is not simply a concept; it must be translated into coordinated action across sectors, institutions and countries,” he emphasized.
Dr Gyanendra Gongal, WHO South-East Asia Regional Office, presents the regional One Health perspective on zoonotic influenza, highlighting the importance of multisectoral collaboration and strengthened coordination across the human, animal and environmental health sectors to address emerging health threats. Photo: WHO SEARO
The One Health approach recognizes the interdependence of human, animal and environmental health. In the context of zoonotic influenza, this requires information generated across sectors to be brought together to support a shared understanding of risks and inform coordinated action.
Dr Filip Claes of FAO's Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific discussed approaches to strengthening One Health collaboration for zoonotic influenza surveillance, risk assessment and outbreak response, highlighting key priorities for countries in the Asia-Pacific region
The session reinforced the importance of:
- timely information sharing between sectors;
- coordinated surveillance at the human–animal–environment interface;
- joint investigation and verification of signals;
- integrated risk assessment;
- coordinated outbreak response; and
- stronger operational links between public health and animal health authorities.
Dr Filip Claes, Regional Manager, One Health in Agrifood Systems, FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (RAP), highlights priorities for strengthening One Health collaboration for zoonotic influenza surveillance, risk assessment and outbreak response. Photo: WHO SEARO
Country experiences: from routine surveillance to early detection
Country experiences provided practical perspectives on how the One Health approach can be operationalized.
Bhutan: moving beyond ILI and SARI surveillance
Bhutan presented its experience and priorities in moving beyond traditional ILI and SARI surveillance systems to strengthen early detection of and response to spillover events caused by non-seasonal influenza viruses.
The presentation underscored the need to prioritize surveillance approaches capable of detecting zoonotic events that may not be captured efficiently through routine respiratory disease surveillance methods alone.
This is particularly important because a human infection following animal exposure may initially resemble other respiratory illnesses. Strengthening epidemiological links with animal health information and ensuring that unusual cases can be investigated rapidly are therefore critical components of zoonotic influenza preparedness.
Nepal: applying ZIDARS to strengthen risk-based surveillance
Nepal shared its experience with the WHO-supported Zoonotic Influenza Detection, Assessment and Response System (ZIDARS), including its field implementation for the detection of zoonotic influenza infections in animals and humans. The presentation highlighted lessons learned and assessed the utility of the system for surveillance, risk assessment and future application.
The experience illustrates how risk-based approaches can help countries identify geographical areas where disease surveillance and preparedness resources may have the greatest value, particularly where human and animal influenza risks overlap.
Chimi Wangmo, National Influenza Centre, Bhutan, presents the country's experience in strengthening the early detection and response to zoonotic influenza through approaches that complement traditional influenza-like illness (ILI) and severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) surveillance. Photo: WHO SEARO
Dr Saugat Shrestha, WHO Country Office for Nepal, shares Nepal's experience in strengthening influenza and respiratory pathogen surveillance and applying risk-based approaches to identify priority areas for zoonotic influenza preparedness. Photo: WHO SEARO
Expert Panel Discussion
The expert panel brought together leading influenza scientists and public health specialists to discuss priorities for strengthening zoonotic influenza surveillance, laboratory preparedness, risk assessment and One Health collaboration across the South-East Asia Region.
Panel members:
- Dr Yi-Mo Deng, WHO Collaborating Centre, Melbourne, Australia
- Dr Shinji Watanabe, WHO Collaborating Centre, Tokyo, Japan
- Professor Hui-Ling Yen, The University of Hong Kong , Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR), China
- Dr Gyanendra Gongal, WHO South-East Asia Region — Moderator
The experts provided their opinion on pandemic potential of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A(H5N1), selection of candidate vaccine viruses, challenges of vaccine production during pandemics and One Health surveillance. They elaborated on surveillance of seasonal and zoonotic influenza, genomic surveillance, and their contributions to capacity strengthening, virus characterization and referral services for seasonal and zoonotic influenza viruses.
The webinar concluded with closing remarks by Dr Suman Rijal, Director of the Department of Health Promotion and Disease Control, who thanked the speakers, panellists and participants for their valuable contributions and underscored the importance of continued collaboration to strengthen zoonotic influenza surveillance, preparedness and response across the Region.
He highlighted the need to build on existing regional capacities and partnerships, particularly among National Influenza Centers, WHO Collaborating Centers and One Health partners, to ensure that surveillance signals are translated into timely risk assessment and public health action.
The webinar concluded with a shared commitment to sustain regional collaboration and strengthen a more connected, resilient and coordinated influenza preparedness network across the WHO South-East Asia Region.
Dr Suman Rijal, Director, Department of Health Promotion, Disease Prevention and Control (HDC), WHO South-East Asia Regional Office, delivers the closing remarks, emphasizing the importance of continued collaboration to strengthen zoonotic influenza surveillance, preparedness and response across the Region. Photo: WHO SEARO