Wildlife

Wild Avian Influenza: Future Preparedness for Welfare

Building preparedness for future avian influenza outbreaks reduces welfare harm from individual suffering to population collapse.

Key Facts

HPAI surveillance capacity must be maintained and expanded beyond outbreak response periods
Welfare response protocols for sick birds at colony sites require pre-established decision trees
Research into HPAI vaccines for wild birds is an early-stage priority with large welfare potential
International coordination of HPAI surveillance reduces gaps in outbreak detection

Welfare Considerations

Future HPAI preparedness is a welfare investment that reduces the total suffering caused by outbreaks through faster detection, more effective response, and potentially vaccination. The welfare cost of the 2022-2024 outbreak - millions of individual animals suffering from neurological disease - justifies significant preparedness investment.

What You Can Do

Support RSPB and APHA HPAI preparedness and surveillance capacity
Advocate for wildlife disease preparedness funding as a welfare priority
Engage with consultations on wildlife disease policy to include welfare alongside conservation goals