Overview:
Palau is hosting a five-day regional workshop to strengthen early detection and response to Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in wildlife and livestock. Bringing together local agencies and experts from SPC, Australia’s DAFF, and Wildlife Health Australia, the initiative focuses on cross-sector biosecurity, field surveillance, and safeguarding public and animal health.
By: Laurel Marewibuel
KOROR, Palau – Palau is bringing together government agencies and regional experts this week to strengthen the country’s ability to prevent, detect and respond to highly pathogenic avian influenza, or HPAI, in wildlife.
Bureau of Agriculture Director Jodean Remengesau said, “On 26-30 October 2026 at the Palau Royal Resort, the Bureau of Agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and the Environment in partnership with the South Pacific Community (SPC) is convening a 5-day capacity building workshop on Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in Wildlife. The workshop brings together local agency staff from Agriculture, Biosecurity, Environment, Public Health, and Animal Health sectors and hosts subject matter experts from the Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) and Wildlife Health Australia.”
Remengesau said, “The workshop also follows a 5-day training and examination week, concluding a four-month-long, mixed in-person and remote learning, Para-veterinarian professional training conducted by SPC and DAFF. Six staff collectively from the Bureau of Agriculture Livestock Division and Koror State Government Animal Shelter Clinic were certified by SPC and DAFF, and witnessed by the Australian Ambassador to Palau, Mr. Tony Sharpe, and BOA Director Ms. Jodean Remengesau.”
She said, “The capacity building workshop comes at a critical point when Australia this year detected H5N1 in wild waterfowl, the greater crested tern. Wildlife, including migratory birds and mammals, may pose as carriers of the disease.”
“As SPC Dr. Eric puts it, ‘disease threats do not respect borders’,” Remengesau said.
She said, “Palauan households, in coping with the increased cost of living, increasingly interact with wildlife, including birds and mammals. Locals raise backyard chickens for fresh eggs, keep roosters or exotic wildlife for pets, and hunt, trade, and consume wild and exotic birds.”
Remengesau said, “This particular strain of H5N1 can transmit from birds to cats and pigs, threatening the livestock sector as well.”
She said, “By the end of the workshop, participants will have strengthened national capacity for early detection, surveillance, reporting and response to HPAI and other emerging animal diseases; enhanced understanding of wildlife health and the role of migratory birds in disease transmission; improved field competencies in surveillance, sampling, biosafety, and outbreak investigation; promoted collaboration between animal health, wildlife, environmental, biosecurity, and public health sectors through the One Health approach; and supported Palau’s efforts to strengthen national biosecurity systems and preparedness for disease incursions.”
Remengesau said, “A prevention-focused action plan that binds and activates cross-sector collaboration through the One Health approach is a key anticipated outcome from the weeklong workshop.”
The workshop is delivered under the SPC Pacific Regional Field Training Program for HPAI and Wildlife Health, a regional initiative supporting Pacific Island countries and territories to strengthen preparedness and resilience to emerging and transboundary animal diseases.