WOAH launches a pilot to simplify the official animal health status procedure

In response to concerns raised by Members about the administrative burden associated with the annual reconfirmation procedure, WOAH and its Scientific Commission for Animal Diseases (the Commission) launched a streamlining initiative. The objective is to simplify the procedure while ensuring continued alignment with the Terrestrial Animal Health Code. The pilot phase is ready to be launched.

Revised reconfirmation form for foot and mouth disease (without vaccination)

At the Commission’s request, WOAH developed a revised annual reconfirmation form for foot and mouth disease (FMD) last year. The updated form features closed-ended, concise questions and tailored guidance indicating when additional information is required.

This form was first shared with Members as an annex to the Commission’s September 2025 meeting report. Following feedback received from Members, the Commission endorsed further refinements at its February 2026 meeting and recommended piloting the form for Members having an FMD-free status where vaccination is not practised.

Pilot phase to gather Members’ feedback

Members having expressed interest in streamlining annual reconfirmations and provided input to date –ensuring balanced  representation across WOAH Regions – will be invited to participate in this pilot test.

The pilot will gather feedback from end users, identify  technical or operational challenges and propose more effective approaches for submitting supporting documentation, in line with the requirements of the Terrestrial Animal Health Code. Its outcomes will inform the timeline for full implementation and ensure the final process reflects Members’ practical needs and operating realities.

Engage with us during the 93rd General Session

To support continued dialogue, the WOAH Status Department will host a dedicated kiosk on Official Status Recognition during the 93rd General Session this May. All WOAH Members are warmly encouraged to visit the kiosk and engage with the team.

Open call for Members to express interest

The WOAH Status Department invites Members to take part in this initiative. Expressions of interest should be sent to the WOAH Status Department [email protected] by 29 May 2026.

Contact: WOAH Status Department ([email protected])

Authors: A. Bouma, H.A. Lim, T.J.D. van Riet, H.I.J. Roest

Since 2021, high pathogenicity of avian influenza virus H5N1 (HPAI H5N1) has spread worldwide.  It is present in many countries, causing widespread infections in poultry that are often controlled through large-scale culling. The virus is also established in wild bird populations and has led to infections in several mammal species. While human infections remain rare, the risk of a broader public health event, such as a pandemic, cannot be ignored. Reducing virus spread is therefore a priority for both animal and human health. Vaccination could be one of the tools to support this goal and should not be hampered by unjustified trade barriers.

Global situation of HPAI

HPAI H5N1 continues to cause recurring outbreaks in poultry and mammals, with often devastating impacts on the poultry sector and wild animal populations. Control measures rely largely on culling infected flocks, leading to the loss of millions of birds. This approach warrants reconsideration, particularly given the sustained circulation of the virus in wild bird populations. More sustainable, long-term strategies are needed, and vaccination could serve as a valuable additional tool to achieve this goal.

Vaccination, animal health and safe trade

In 2023, the WOAH World Assembly of Delegates adopted Resolution No. 28, recognising vaccination as a complementary disease control tool. WOAH international standards stipulate that vaccination use does not affect a country’s HPAI-free status, provided surveillance demonstrates the absence of infection.

Despite this progress, several challenges remain. Vaccination programmes are currently applied in only a limited number of at-risk countries. Although more countries are considering vaccination, concerns about vaccination and surveillance costs, product value and potential impacts on international trade continue to limit uptake, especially in exporting countries. While some trade barriers are justified, others appear disproportionate and need further discussion.

To address these challenges, the Netherlands set up an international working group on HPAI vaccination and trade. Together with Canada, the European Commission, France, the United Kingdom, the United States of America and WOAH, the Netherlands organised a meeting of this working group last January. Participants agreed to work together to make HPAI vaccination feasible in the near future, providing necessary assurances to allow safe trade.  

Key issues to be addressed

The working group underlined the need to develop and recognise minimum requirements that would facilitate international trade in products from vaccinated poultry and eliminate unjustified trade barriers. The group also noted that agreements with respect to vaccination and trade should be aligned with existing international standards, such as zoning, and should include appropriate surveillance and control measures that support virus control while maintaining trade confidence.

Next steps

A side event will be organised during the WOAH General Session in May. The international working group will present progress to date and outline planned activities. The focus will be on improving understanding of vaccination performance and exploring the development of minimum, widely supported surveillance programme requirements to demonstrate the absence of infection and facilitate trade in products from vaccinated poultry.

In addition, WOAH will develop guidelines for surveillance of HPAI in vaccinated poultry population, with the aim of supporting disease status recognition and safe trade.

Members interested in supporting future vaccination efforts are encouraged to express their interest.

Looking ahead

The goal is to move towards a more sustainable poultry sector that prioritises animal health and welfare, while also protecting public health and the environment.

---

WOAH has launched the Guidelines Surveillance of High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza for Smallholder Poultry Systems in Resource-Limited Settings, providing Veterinary Authorities and Veterinary Services involved in high pathogenicity avian influenza(HPAI) surveillance, as well as wildlife, environmental and public health services, animal diagnostic laboratories and other One Health partners with practical recommendations to assist in designing surveillance programmes for the detection of HPAI virus in smallholder poultry systems (SHPS), tailored to the needs and contexts of resource-limited settings.

What the Guidelines Contain

The guidelines Section 1 showcases the diversity and complexity of SHPS beyond the value chain and highlights the importance of community participation to address issues associated with poultry health and enhance effective disease surveillance programmes in such settings.

Section 2 outlines the main objectives, target audience and the international framework, standards and existing tools that link to this guidance.

Section 3 provides six practical phases for developing a surveillance programme in a participative manner — from defining objectives and mapping poultry systems to choosing methods, setting up communication and reporting pathways, and evaluating performance.

Section 4 focuses on training, including a training of trainers model to strengthen local capacity.

The Annex contains ready-to-use tools, templates, figures and evaluation indicators to help users apply the guidance in the field.

Why Did WOAH Develop These Guidelines?

Low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) of the world face several challenges in preventing and responding to avian influenza outbreaks, particularly among smallholder (backyard) poultry farmers. Low-sensitivity surveillance systems in SHPS hinder early detection, thereby increasing the spread of the virus. Furthermore, conventional surveillance programmes often demand substantial and ongoing funding while lacking the flexibility to address the full range of disease surveillance needs in SHPS, particularly where resources are constrained.

In the 90th WOAH General Session in May 2023, following the animal health forum and technical item on avian influenza, Resolution No. 28 was adopted that include the recommendation to support poultry keepers, particularly small holders, in implementing correct usage of disease prevention and control tools, such as enhanced biosecurity, early identification of clinical signs and reporting, to prevent the introduction and spread of HPAI. It was identified as a need to provide Members with practical surveillance guidelines targeting small-scale poultry farmers (backyard), tailored to the local socio-economic context.

To this end, WOAH has published these practical guidelines tailored to local contexts, safeguarding farmers’ livelihoods and ensuring the stability of the poultry industry.

How Were the Guidelines Developed?

In 2025, WOAH launched a consultancy to develop these science-based guidelines. They were authored by experts from the Centre for Applied One Health Research and Policy Advice and Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, Hong Kong and the Institut National de Recherche pour l’agriculture, l’alimentation et l’environnement, France.

In April 2025, the first draft underwent peer review by a WOAH ad hoc Group, which provided expert opinions and recommendations while ensuring diverse and regional perspectives were considered. The WOAH Scientific Commission for Animal Diseases (SCAD) also reviewed the draft to confirm scientific soundness and alignment with WOAH international standards. Following these reviews and revisions, the guidelines were officially published on the WOAH website (English, French, Spanish) in January 2026.

WOAH encourages users of these guidelines to share their implementation experience and to provide constructive feedback through WOAH Delegates or their representatives, so that this publication can be further refined and adapted to the ever-changing ecology of HPAI viruses, food production systems and surveillance tools.

More information

Recording of the launch webinar on 25 February 2026: Launch of Guidelines on Surveillance of HPAI for Smallholder Poultry Systems in Resource-Limited Settings

Contact: Science and Disease Management Department ([email protected])

The online versions of the WOAH Terrestrial Animal Health Code, Aquatic Animal Health Code, Manual of Diagnostic Tests for Aquatic Animals and the Manual of Diagnostic Tests and Vaccines for Terrestrial Animals have been updated as of 5 September 2025. These updates reflect all new and revised texts adopted at the 92nd WOAH General Session in May 2025.

Resolutions Behind the Updates

All amendments are based on Resolutions adopted by the World Assembly of Delegates during the 92nd General Session, specifically:

• – Resolution No. 23 Amendments to the Aquatic Animal Health Code
• – Resolution No. 24 Amendments to the Manual of Diagnostic Tests for Aquatic Animals Resolution
• – Resolution No. 25 Amendments to the Terrestrial Animal Health Code
• – Resolution No. 26 Amendments to the Manual of Diagnostic Tests and Vaccines for Terrestrial Animals

Accessing the Updated Standards

In addition to the dynamic, searchable online version, you can also download PDFs of the entire Terrestrial Code, Aquatic Code, Aquatic Manual or Terrestrial Manual, or of a specific chapter.

To access WOAH Standards, go to: Codes and Manuals – WOAH – World Organisation for Animal Health

Contact: WOAH Standards Department ([email protected]) 

WOAH has recently updated the foot and mouth disease (FMD) status web page to enhance clarity and provide greater visibility to Members whose entire territory is officially recognised as free from FMD.

The WOAH FMD status web page has been updated to give a clearer overview of Members having officially recognised FMD-free status by WOAH. The revised section showcases the achievements of Members whose entire territory is officially recognised by WOAH as free from FMD,  whether the status was achieved through zonal recognition, nationwide efforts or independent of vaccination strategy.

New Dedicated Section

A new section titled ‘FMD-Free Members’ has been added to help users easily find Members whose entire territory is free from FMD. It brings together all such Members in one place. Other sections include ‘FMD-Free Zones’, with Members having zones free of FMD but not covering the entire country, and ‘List of Members with an Endorsed Official Control Programme for FMD’.

This update helps ensure proper visibility and recognition for Members’ efforts in controlling, preventing and eradicating FMD, using key control measures such as vaccination or zoning. It also aims to provide clearer visibility of national-level disease freedom and support transparent international trade in animals and animal products, while reflecting WOAH’s commitment to its Members and recognising their accomplishments in improving animal health.

Furthermore, the improved page layout helps clearly communicate FMD-free status of Members. These updates are now available in all three official WOAH languages, ensuring accessibility and transparency for the global community.

The section on suspensions and status reinstatements remains unchanged at the bottom of the web page and is continuously updated with the latest information.

Contact: WOAH Status Department ([email protected])