Uruguay is promoting national preparedness for zoonotic avian influenza from a One Health approach

Montevideo, Uruguay, June 18, 2026 (PANAFTOSA/SPV-PAHO/WHO) - Experts from human health, animal health, and environmental sectors participated in the Intersectoral Risk Assessment (EVIR) for zoonotic avian influenza (ZAI), an initiative promoted by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and its specialized center for Veterinary Public Health, PANAFTOSA in collaboration with the PAHO Health Emergencies department (PHE) to strengthen the country's preparedness and response to future outbreaks.

The event, organized by PAHO in coordination with Uruguay's Ministry of Public Health, Ministry of Livestock, Agriculture, and Fisheries, and Ministry of the Environment, brought together nearly 35 professionals from various national institutions to analyze the risks associated with the circulation of the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus and to strengthen intersectoral coordination under the One Health approach.

This initiative is part of the PROTECT project, funded by the World Bank's Pandemic Fund, which aims to improve pandemic response in seven countries in the Amazon basin, including Uruguay.

A persistent threat to human, animal, and environmental health

Since its introduction in North America in 2021, the avian influenza A(H5N1) virus has spread throughout the continent, primarily via migratory birds. As of March 2026, more than 5,700 outbreaks had been recorded in 21 countries in the Americas, affecting multiple species of birds and mammals and causing dozens of human infections.

In Uruguay, highly pathogenic avian influenza was first detected in 2023. During that year, outbreaks were reported in backyard poultry, wild birds, and wild mammals, while in 2026, new cases were reported in wild birds. In addition to Uruguay, outbreaks were recorded in the first half of this year in Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, the United States, Honduras, Mexico, and Peru. This situation underscores the need to maintain and strengthen national capacities for surveillance, prevention, and response.

"The sustained circulation of the virus in animals continues to pose a risk to public health, biodiversity, and agricultural production. Early preparedness and coordination across sectors are essential to reducing these risks," emphasized Lia Buzanovsky, a specialist in the epidemiology department at PANAFTOSA.

Risk assessment for better preparedness

EVIR is a methodology developed by the Pan American Center for Foot-and-Mouth Disease and Veterinary Public Health that enables the analysis, in a structured and participatory manner, of the risks associated with zoonotic diseases from an integrated perspective.

Using an interactive online tool, specialists from the three sectors assessed the possible routes of entry and spread of zoonotic avian influenza in the country, identifying critical transmission points and defining priority actions to strengthen disease prevention, surveillance, and control, thereby promoting evidence-based decision-making.

The PAHO Representative in Uruguay, Dr. Caroline Chang, highlighted the importance of the intersectoral approach underpinning this initiative: "Preparedness is not the sole responsibility of the health sector. It is a commitment of every institution, every sector, because when it comes to reducing risks and saving lives, coordination among the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Livestock, and the Ministry of the Environment is what makes the difference." Dr. Chang also praised the sustained joint work among the three ministries, noting that this assessment is a concrete opportunity to identify the gaps that still need to be closed and to strengthen national plans from a prevention perspective: "Prevention is much more effective than any response, and the best way to respond is to have planned ahead."

A regional priority

Conducting intersectoral risk assessments was identified as one of the top priorities by the 32 participating countries at the first meeting of the Intersectoral Commission for the Prevention and Control of Zoonotic Influenza in the Americas (CIPCIZA), held in Rio de Janeiro in 2024.

Since then, PAHO has been supporting countries in the region in implementing this strategy, recognizing that zoonoses with epidemic potential require coordinated responses across multiple sectors.

The activity in Uruguay is part of this regional effort to strengthen national risk management capacities and improve preparedness for emerging public health threats.

Cross-sectoral participation

Over four days of work, representatives from government institutions, veterinary services, environmental authorities, academics, and PAHO experts collaborated to characterize risks by the country's subregions, analyze transmission scenarios, and develop coordination mechanisms for prevention, surveillance, and outbreak response.

The results of the assessment will help strengthen national plans for surveillance, contingency, and risk communication, thereby fostering a more integrated and effective response to zoonotic avian influenza in Uruguay.