Rethinking avian influenza control: a systems-oriented One Health perspective for family poultry
- 1Development Policy Centre, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University , , ,
- 2Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University , , ,
- 3One Health Institute, Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University , ,
Abstract
Early detection and control of high- and low-pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI, LPAI) in family poultry flocks remain challenging in settings where mortality from enzootic diseases such as Newcastle disease (ND) and infectious bursal disease (IBD) is persistently high. High background mortality obscures recognition of unusual disease events and delays reporting. In addition to epidemiological constraints, rebuilding trust among family poultry producers, particularly those affected by uncompensated culling during previous HPAI outbreaks, is essential for effective control. Locally grounded, participatory approaches that recognize the lived experience of both women and men poultry keepers are required to strengthen surveillance, reporting, and response. This policy-oriented rapid review synthesized 110 peer-reviewed publications and 27 policy and guidance documents to examine the structural, epidemiological and socio-economic factors influencing HPAI and LPAI prevention and control in family poultry systems. Effective HPAI and LPAI control should be embedded within a broader, systems-oriented strategy that improves overall poultry productivity and explicitly values smallholder knowledge and participation. A multi-hazard risk management approach grounded in One Health is required, i.e., one that addresses equity, food and nutrition security, livelihoods, climate resilience, and global health. Building on a nine-factor assessment of the factors shaping avian influenza control feasibility, we group practical entry points into three complementary themes: (1) structural constraints within family poultry production systems, including the use of locally adapted poultry genotypes, safe, improved access to safe markets and sustainable feed systems, and effective control of enzootic vaccine-preventable diseases; (2) governance, institutional and social barriers, including culturally appropriate outbreak preparedness and response protocols; (3) gender and socio-economic equity, encompassing participatory approaches grounded in inclusivity, transparency, and accountability. Functional cross-sectoral collaboration between public health, animal health, and environmental sectors, along with local government, is essential if One Health approaches are to deliver tangible, cost-effective reductions in zoonotic risk and effective response while supporting sustainable household food and nutrition security.
Related
- Rethinking Postoperative Pain in the Era of Robotic Thoracic Surgery: A Surgeon’s Perspective on Functional Recovery and Potential Oncologic Implications
- Metabolites as key signaling mediators: rethinking diabetic kidney disease from a network perspective
- Beyond the clicker: rethinking student response systems as pedagogical infrastructure for healthcare professions education
- Rethinking school zone safety in South African townships: a systems analysis of Nkowankowa with implications for visual communication
- Psychophysiological Trajectories of Trauma Recovery: A Process-Oriented Randomized Comparison of Internal Family Systems (IFS) and Emotion-Focused Training for Self-Compassion and Self-Protection (EFT-SCP) in Traumatized Adolescents
BibTeX
@article{alders2026rethinking,
title = {{Rethinking avian influenza control: a systems-oriented One Health perspective for family poultry}},
author = {Robyn Alders and Brigitte Bagnol and Md. Ahasanul Hoque},
journal = {Frontiers in veterinary science},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3389/fvets.2026.1814751},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13725106},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Rethinking avian influenza control: a systems-oriented One Health perspective for family poultry
AU - Robyn Alders
AU - Brigitte Bagnol
AU - Md. Ahasanul Hoque
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/19
JO - Frontiers in veterinary science
DO - 10.3389/fvets.2026.1814751
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13725106
AB - Early detection and control of high- and low-pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI, LPAI) in family poultry flocks remain challenging in settings where mortality from enzootic diseases such as Newcastle disease (ND) and infectious bursal disease (IBD) is persistently high. High background mortality obscures recognition of unusual disease events and delays reporting. In addition to epidemiological constraints, rebuilding trust among family poultry producers, particularly those affected by uncompensated culling during previous HPAI outbreaks, is essential for effective control. Locally grounded, participatory approaches that recognize the lived experience of both women and men poultry keepers are required to strengthen surveillance, reporting, and response. This policy-oriented rapid review synthesized 110 peer-reviewed publications and 27 policy and guidance documents to examine the structural, epidemiological and socio-economic factors influencing HPAI and LPAI prevention and control in family poultry systems. Effective HPAI and LPAI control should be embedded within a broader, systems-oriented strategy that improves overall poultry productivity and explicitly values smallholder knowledge and participation. A multi-hazard risk management approach grounded in One Health is required, i.e., one that addresses equity, food and nutrition security, livelihoods, climate resilience, and global health. Building on a nine-factor assessment of the factors shaping avian influenza control feasibility, we group practical entry points into three complementary themes: (1) structural constraints within family poultry production systems, including the use of locally adapted poultry genotypes, safe, improved access to safe markets and sustainable feed systems, and effective control of enzootic vaccine-preventable diseases; (2) governance, institutional and social barriers, including culturally appropriate outbreak preparedness and response protocols; (3) gender and socio-economic equity, encompassing participatory approaches grounded in inclusivity, transparency, and accountability. Functional cross-sectoral collaboration between public health, animal health, and environmental sectors, along with local government, is essential if One Health approaches are to deliver tangible, cost-effective reductions in zoonotic risk and effective response while supporting sustainable household food and nutrition security.
SN - 2297-1769
ER -