First meeting of the Standing Group of Experts on Avian Influenza

In response to recent outbreaks in the Americas, the GF-TADs Regional Steering Committee for the Americas approved the creation of the Standing Group of Experts on Avian Influenza (SGE-IA) to advise the GF-TADs Regional Steering Committee on preventive actions, preparedness and emergency response to the disease.

The first virtual meeting of this Group took place on Tuesday 13 December and was attended by more than 100 participants.

The objectives of this first meeting were:

• To provide and update the global situation and spread of avian influenza.
• To provide feedback on the regional risk assessment for avian influenza in the Americas.
• To deliver an update of the situation in the affected countries of the Americas.
• To receive the input of relevant expert in different fields of expertise, such us surveillance, vaccination, prevention, and control.
• To identify the priority actions relevant for the Americas.