On July 23^rd, 2024, the American Association of Avian Pathologists issued a position statement on H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza.  The objective is to reduce the risk of exposure of poultry flocks to H5N1 genotype B3.13 responsible for bovine influenza-H5N1.  The significant components of the AAAP statement are: -

• Risk-based regional surveillance is required to generate data relating to the epidemiology of bovine influenza-H5N1.  The AAAP considers the response by USDA-APHIS to be inadequate to mitigate risk to turkeys, broilers and egg-production flocks near dairies.
• The AAAP advocates for a risk-based national strategy to reduce further spread of H5N1 influenza.

• Epidemiologic studies are required to gain an appreciation of their routes of transmission and specifically extension from dairy herds to poultry farms.
• Introduction of a vaccine to control the spread of H5 influenza to supplement biosecurity on dairy farms that is acknowledged to be deficient.
• Deploying additional resources to suppress bovine influenza-H5N1 and to minimize the long-term impacts including zoonotic infection and disruption of food supply and economic consequences.  The AAAP specified the need for expanded laboratory capability and financial support for veterinary resources.