An open letter from Conservation scientists and practitioners on bird flu

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) is currently affecting bird populations in North and South America, Europe, Africa and Asia. Global North countries may be better prepared, but responses remain arguably inadequate, whilst countries in the Global South are struggling.

In The Gambia an outbreak of HPAI was announced April 1st 2023. It has resulted in conservationists finding themselves in the horrendous situation of being without funding for adequate surveillance, control and disposal of infected birds. Field teams have insufficient PPE, and no clear channel for expert guidance and support with practical questions.

More than 10,000 migratory water birds have since died in this region alone including hundreds of West African Crested Terns. Many others will have become infected and have carried the disease with them on their spring migrations to Europe. On top of the practical issues, there is the communication challenge of reaching the public to stop them picking up sick birds to take home to heal or eat and risk spreading it to domestic fowl or even becoming infected themselves. As the outbreak grows, there is also a need to recruit and train volunteers to help monitor and mitigate the spread.

Since the outbreak in The Gambia was brought to light in international media, other countries – both in the Global North and Global South - have reported challenges caused by lack of support, as well as confusion on where to turn, to share data and learnings or for advice.

We have already heard of examples of government departments being reluctant to announce an outbreak, for fear of the potential economic impact on tourism. This delay in combatting the outbreak could have even longer reaching economic and public health repercussions. Other failings include government departments focusing only on agricultural impacts on domestic fowl and not on wild birds. There is also too much pressure on underfunded NGOs to handle the outbreak in priority sites for wild waterbirds, and most managed sites have no HPAI response plan in place.

While UN entities and national governments have some agreements in place, the practical reality is that the obligations for many countries are impossible to fulfil. Additionally, there is a need to turn complex and technical information into something that is easily understandable to those who speak different languages.

Urgent need to fund avian influenza support

In the case of an outbreak in a developing country, the burden on the country is so high we cannot expect them to be able to mitigate an outbreak without support. A small amount of support in terms of funds and expertise could accelerate mitigatory measures and considerably reduce the economic impact.

We are requesting for international governments to provide essential funds, equipment and guidance for countries in the Global South like The Gambia to respond to outbreaks. This would allow field teams to monitor, risk assess, dispose of corpses safely (if identified as a priority to minimise spread), and seek ongoing advice as the situation evolves. By adopting a proactive rather than reactive approach, losses to industries such as agriculture and tourism will be minimised, not just in countries where the outbreaks occur but in other countries along the flyways.

Pandemics and zoonotic diseases will increase with changing climate, more intensive meat production, a rise in antibiotic use and our further encroachment into wild spaces. One Health Principles adopted by UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), World Organisation for Animal Health, World Health Organisation (WHO), and United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) acknowledge that the health of animals, ecosystems and humans are connected. By improving the

system for tackling outbreaks like Avian Influenza, we have a chance to get the system right before a new outbreak comes along.

In summary, wild birds are a good indicator of the health of ecosystems. The situation described in The Gambia and other countries and the shocking losses to wild bird populations are a warning cry we mustn't ignore.

We, the undersigned scientists/conservationists, call on governments to take a lead in developing an international agreement to address avian influenza, based on sound scientific and precautionary principles.

(Those who have signed this letter have done so in their personal capacities. Institutional affiliations are provided only for identification purposes, and do not imply any institutional position on Avian Influenza.)

Dr Alexander Charles Lees, Reader in Conservation Biology, Manchester Metropolitan University

Professor Adam Hart, Professor of Science Communication, University of Gloucestershire, UK

Tim Dodman, Associate Expert, Wetlands International / Training & Conservation, WSFI

Ian Redmond OBE, DSc(hc), Head of Conservation, Ecoflix; Ambassador for UN’s CMS

Dr Mark Jones BVSc MSc (Stir) MSc (UL) MRCVS, veterinarian and Head of Policy, Born Free

Eliška Konopáčová PhD, Czech Society for Ornithology, Czech Republic

Jacek Karczewski, conservationist, Board of Jestem na pTAK! (Polish bird conservation organisation)

Chris Bowden, Vulture Programme, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), UK

Sacha Dench, CEO Conservation without Borders, Ambassador UN Convention on Migratory Species

David Lindo – The Urban Birder, conservationist and broadcaster

Chris Rostron, Migratory Birds for People / Wetland Link International

Aissatou Yvette Diallo, East Atlantic Flyway Conservation Officer / BirdLife International

Robert Adams, Chairman of Spurn Bird Observatory, Hull. East Yorkshire

Ibrahim HAMA, Environmentalist and Communication Researcher, Senegal

Terry Townshend, Fellow of the Paulson Institute, China

Awa Joof, Research officer at West Africa Bird Study Association, The Gambia

Fagimba Camara, Head of Research Unit, West African Bird Study Association, (Birdlife Gambia)

Basiru Faal, Senior Wildlife Ranger, Department of Parts & Wildlife Management, The Gambia

Sulayman Jabang, Principal Wildlife Ranger, Department of Parts & Wildlife Management, Gambia

Lamin SM Keita, Senior Wildlife Ranger, Department of Parts & Wildlife Management, The Gambia

Muhammed Hydara, Secretary General, Gambia Environmental Alliance (GEA)

Dembo Jatta, Final Year Research Student at the African Leadership University, Rwanda

Diane Bennett, Tweed Valley Osprey Project Coordinator, Scottish Borders

Rose Davis, Sahel Wetlands Concern, The Gambia

Mam Ndure Journalist Department of information services/Gambia daily

Kawsu Gibba Pirang Bonto Forest Park, President of the SSG Pirang. Kombo East District, West Coast Region of the Gambia.

Omar Sanyang Organization: Executive Director Smile For Life, The Gambia

Alasan Camara Gambia Fire & Rescue Service, Volunteer for (Smile For Life The Gambia sea turtle conservation )

Muhammed Bojang, University of the Gambia graduate & volunteer

Dawda Ella Manneh, Field Worker Wildlife and Conservation Trust, The Gambia

Amadou John National Co-ordinator West African Birds Study Association

Yahya L Badjie, Secretary General, Kombo Foni forest Association (komffora)

Lamin Jobaateh Executive Director, West African Bird Study Association

Francis Gomez, Secretary General Bird Watcher Association The Gambia

Khadija Bourass : executive director GREPOM/BirdLife Maroc

Nuha Jammeh Technical Coordinator RAMPAO, Dakar Office

Johana Zuluaga-Bonilla: Asociación Ornitológica de Boyacá-Ixobrychus (lago de Tota, Boyacá, Colombia, Sur América)

Dr. Jacky Judas, chairman of the World Wetland Network

Rowan Hardman Technical Coordinator, Urdaibai Bird Center, Spain

Edorta Unamuno Technical Coordinator, Urdaibai Bird Center, Spain

Aouissa Salek, Président, Association Khnifiss, Morocco

Salla BA, Programme Manager Fondation MAVA, Mauritania