Ukraine Enhances Preparedness for Avian Influenza with Simulation Exercises

Avian influenza remains a major global health concern. It affects birds, mammals, livelihoods, and economies. Ukraine is at particular risk because of its location along migratory bird routes. These routes increase the chance of interaction between wild birds and poultry, which can lead to the introduction and spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). The risk of genetic reassortment continues to pose a threat to human health and calls for strong and vigilant systems for early detection, preparedness, and response. Strengthening these systems is critical to protect public health and ensure Ukraine’s readiness to respond to future outbreaks. In September 2024, Ukraine held a National Bridging Workshop (NBW) to improve coordination between human and animal health authorities. One of the main recommendations was to conduct regular simulation exercises to test preparedness. Consequently, an introductory course on simulation exercise management was organized in Ukraine in 2024. The aim was to build national expertise in planning, conducting, and evaluating exercises according to international standards. In April 2025, further progress was made when the Public Health Center of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine and the State Service of Ukraine on Food Safety and Consumer Protection signed a Memorandum of Cooperation. The agreement focuses on: To put these commitments into practice, a tabletop simulation exercise (TTX) on avian influenza was held in Kyiv on 16–17 June 2025. The exercise was partly supported by the Pandemic Influenza Preparedness (PIP) Framework Partnership Contribution (PC) funds and tested how national stakeholders would or might coordinate and communicate during potential HPAI outbreaks in animals and humans. The TTX identified areas for improvement in coordination, information sharing, and response. It also confirmed Ukraine’s growing capacity to manage zoonotic threats and prepare for future pandemics. Ukraine’s work on avian influenza contributes to the Global Influenza Strategy by strengthening surveillance, national disease control programs, and pandemic preparedness. WHO's support to key national partners will be guided by the recommendations from the simulation exercise and will focus on enhancing several critical areas such as formalizing cross-sectoral collaboration through the enhancement of standard operational procedures and establishing a robust framework for joint activities such as risk assessments and communication. Building on the lessons of recent crises, WHO will work with countries and partners to sustain preparedness investments and to reinforce regional mechanisms for early detection and rapid response.