The IEC’s Avian Influenza Global Expert Group is calling for the egg industry to maintain high levels of surveillance and vigilance against Avian Influenza. 

This is important both through individual business and at a national level through national egg associations.The Avian Influenza Global Expert Group was established in 2015 by the IEC to assist egg producers in managing the risk of Avian Influenza. A key priority for the Group is to create a culture of improving on-farm biosecurity, providing the global egg industry with a range of tools to use on-farm that support and help implement high level OIE policy.

Although the recent number of AI outbreaks in egg laying hens has not been historically high, the IEC Global Expert Group considers that this is no reason for producers, whether southern or northern hemisphere, to let their guard down. In technical terms it is considered that the current wave of outbreaks is continuing. This means that a focus on biosecurity should continue and that surveillance by your veterinary authorities should also be maintained.

The most effective form of surveillance is for the wild bird populations in your country to be monitored. This is usually the duty of the veterinary authorities and the IEC Avian Influenza Global Expert Group is encouraging producers to discuss the need for wild bird population surveillance with your national veterinary authorities. By working together we aim to receive early warning of Avian Influenza outbreaks in domestic poultry.

The IEC and its’ Global Expert Group remain committed in the campaign to promote biosecurity and tackle the continuing threat of Avian Influenza.