Wednesday, 14 October 2026, 13:00–14:00 (CEST)
Background
Avian influenza A(H9N2) viruses continue to circulate widely in birds and have caused sporadic human infections, highlighting the ongoing risk of influenza viruses emerging at the animal-human interface. Addressing these risks requires timely risk assessment, coordinated One Health action, across human, animal and environmental health sectors, and sustained preparedness for pandemics through GISRS and its partners.
Held shortly after the WHO biannual consultation on influenza vaccine composition, including the review of candidate vaccine viruses for pandemic preparedness, this webinar will provide the latest updates on A(H9N2) epidemiology, virus characterization, animal and environmental surveillance, and global risk assessment.
By bringing together experts from human, animal, and environmental health sectors, the webinar will promote a shared understanding of current risks and strengthen coordinated preparedness for future zoonotic and pandemic influenza threats.
Objectives
The webinar will provide a One Health update and support awareness on avian influenza A(H9N2) and provides an opportunity for engagement around the emerging Strategic Framework to accelerate Quadripartite action on avian influenza.
Specific objectives are to:
- Summarize the current epidemiological situation of avian influenza A(H9N2) at the human–animal interface, including recent human infections and the geographical scope and impact of its spread in bird populations.
- Describe the virological characteristics of circulating A(H9N2) viruses and those detected in sporadic human cases, including antigenic and genetic diversity, markers of mammalian adaptation, and implications for risk assessment, diagnostics and candidate vaccine virus development.
- Highlight the roles of WHO, FAO, WOAH and UNEP in surveillance, risk assessment, prevention and control of avian influenza, including wildlife, poultry production, ecosystem and public health considerations.
- Show how data and expertise from GISRS WHO Collaborating Centres and OFFLU contribute to global monitoring, virus characterization, risk assessment and preparedness for zoonotic and pandemic influenza threats.
Agenda and Speakers
Introduction of EPI-WIN, housekeeping, introduction to topic and speakers, and slido: Dr Supriya Bezbaruah, EPI-WIN Lead, EPI-WIN Science and Knowledge Translation, WHO
Moderation:Dr Wenqing Zhang, Head, Global Respiratory Threats unit, Epidemic and Pandemic Management (EPM), WHO Health Emergencies Programme (WHE)
Welcome remarks: Dr Maria Van Kerkhove, Director, Epidemic and Pandemic Management (EPM), WHE
Epizootiology of avian influenza A(H9N2): Dr Erik Karlsson, Director, Institut Pasteur du Cambodge (IPC), National Influenza Center and Regional WHO H5 Reference Laboratory, Lead, Avian Influenza technical activity group, OFFLU
Epidemiology and risk assessment of avian influenza H9N2 human infections:
Dr Aspen Hammond, Technical Officer, Global Respiratory Threats unit, EPM, WHE
Dr Magdi Samaan, Technical Officer, Global Respiratory Threats unit, EPM, WHE
A(H9N2) virus characterization, and selection and development of candidate vaccine viruses:
Dr Tom Fabrizio, Scientist, WHO Collaborating Centre for Studies on the Ecology of Influenza in Animals, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
Q&A:
All Speakers and
Dr Dayan Wang and Dr Yang Lei, WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Influenza Chinese National Influenza Center (CNIC), Beijing
Dr Ndongo Dia, WHO Collaborating Centre for Influenza, National Influenza Centre, Institut Pasteur, Dakar
Dr Madhur Dhingra and Dr Ruth Cromie, FAO Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS)
Summary & Closing: Dr Supriya Bezbaruah, EPI-WIN Lead, EPI-WIN Science and Knowledge Translation, WHO
Registration