Wild Animal Welfare

Wild HPAI Future Preparedness

Preparing for future HPAI waves requires investment in surveillance, vaccine development, and welfare response capacity before the next outbreak.

Key Facts

HPAI H5N1 is now circulating year-round in some regions rather than seasonally
New reassortant strains emerge through genetic mixing in waterfowl reservoir species
Rapid diagnostic test development enables faster field identification of outbreaks
Sentinel surveillance networks detect new outbreaks before mass mortality events
Contingency plans for wildlife rehabilitation centres must address biosecurity and surge capacity

Welfare Considerations

HPAI preparedness is the most effective welfare intervention for future outbreaks - faster detection, better response capacity, and eventual vaccines will reduce the welfare cost of future waves compared to past catastrophic events.

What You Can Do

Support HPAI surveillance and preparedness research funding
Donate to wildlife rehabilitation centres building biosecurity and surge response capacity
Advocate for government investment in wildlife disease surveillance networks