In the fight against avian influenza, there is an urgent need for cross-sector collaboration and science-based strategies, including the vaccination of laying hens.
The World Egg Organisation held a high-level event on 22 May 2025 in Geneva, Switzerland, bringing together leading voices from animal health, public health and the global egg industry to address the current challenges posed by highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI).
The event, which took place on the sidelines of the 78th World Health Assembly of the World Health Organization (WHO), highlighted the urgent need for cross-sector collaboration and science-based strategies, including the vaccination of laying hens. The session, entitled “Tackling Avian Flu Together“, was attended by representatives of WHO Member States and international organisations.
The President of the World Egg Organisation, Juan Felipe Montoya Muñoz, emphasised the importance of a unified approach: “The World Egg Organisation represents egg producers, large and small, from around the world, many of whom are on the front line dealing with avian influenza. We are committed to the ‘One Health’ approach and to strengthening collaboration with the WHO and the other quadripartite organisations.”
Pandemic preparedness
The Director General of the World Egg Organisation, Julian Madeley, also represented the industry at a side event on Sunday 18 May 2025, organised by the Global Preparedness Monitoring Board (Global Preparedness Monitoring Board), entitled “The New Face of Pandemic Preparedness“. Madeley shared the egg sector’s experiences and perspectives on the future of highly pathogenic avian influenza control, reinforcing the critical need for vaccination in laying hens as an additional tool for egg producers.
Commenting on the events, Madeley said: “Thank you to the WHO for all the leadership and support they provide as we work towards the same goals. The message is clear: we must act together to safeguard animal health, human health and global food security under the principle of ‘One Health‘.”
