WOAH and FAO brought together health authorities to analyse the spread of the virus in various countries across the region, examine the control and response measures in place, and review the progress made in laboratory diagnostics within the region.
16 April 2026 – Between January and March 2026, the Latin American and Caribbean region reported a total of 25 outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) to the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), affecting domestic and wild birds as well as commercial flocks.
Given this situation, WOAH in conjunction with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), within the framework of the Global Programme for Transboundary Animal Diseases (GF-TADs), convened an emergency regional coordination meeting. The aim of this meeting was to report on the global situation regarding this disease, as well as to learn about the measures being taken by countries in Latin America and the Caribbean to address the current situation and to facilitate technical exchange between the region’s official veterinary services.
The event was attended by veterinary authorities and epidemiology specialists from 17 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. Furthermore, some of the countries that have reported outbreaks from December 2025 to date, such as the United States of America, the Cayman Islands, Argentina and Chile, shared their epidemiological situation and experience in dealing with outbreaks with the rest of the region.
‘FAO reaffirms its role as a specialised technical agency in supporting countries in the region with measures against highly pathogenic avian influenza. Given its cross-border nature, it is essential to strengthen coordination between countries, international organisations and public and private stakeholders. In this context, we continue to expand our technical assistance to official veterinary services, improving surveillance systems, supporting the preparation of response plans and promoting biosecurity measures, with the aim of preventing and containing the spread of the disease in the region,’ said Rene Orellana Halkyer, Assistant Director-General and FAO Regional Representative for Latin America and the Caribbean.
Meanwhile, Francisco D’Alessio, WOAH Regional Representative and Secretary of the GF-TADs for the Americas, emphasised that ‘coordinated efforts between countries help to align strategies for the prevention and control of avian influenza. In turn, collaboration between different international organisations is essential to ensure joint and efficient work in accordance with international standards and global strategies, promoting support for countries through international reference laboratories and collaborating centres, as well as capacity building on cross-cutting issues and fostering continuity in safe trade’.
On this occasion, the Federal Agricultural Defence Laboratory (LFDA) in Campinas, Brazil, an international reference centre, presented the advances in laboratory diagnosis in recent years, highlighting the strengthening of technical capacities and the updating of diagnostic methodologies. Likewise, the coordinated work of the South American Network of Laboratories for the Diagnosis of Avian Influenza and Newcastle Disease (RESUDIA) was highlighted as a key initiative to promote the exchange of information and the harmonisation of criteria and procedures among countries in the region.
Larissa Zanette, Animal Health Coordinator at the FAO Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean, outlined some key aspects for tackling the emergency, in line with the 2024–2033 global strategy for the prevention and control of highly pathogenic avian influenza, developed jointly by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) and FAO.
In terms of early detection, the recommendations aim to strengthen the capacities of national laboratories, adopt cost-effective surveillance strategies and protocols that enable rapid action, involve local communities and empower young people and the private sector to support the reporting of suspected cases of the disease, as well as create incentives and remove barriers to timely notification to the competent national authorities.
Regarding the response, it is recommended to establish mechanisms that enable timely intervention, such as emergency funds, unified management structures, strengthening of operational capacities, and advance mechanisms to ensure the availability of critical supplies.
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