OIE/FAO Network of Expertise on Animal Influenza

This article has multiple issues. Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page. (Learn how and when to remove these messages) This article contains content that is written like an advertisement. Please help improve it by removing promotional content and inappropriate external links, and by adding encyclopedic content written from a neutral point of view. (January 2011) (Learn how and when to remove this message) This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Find sources: "OIE/FAO Network of Expertise on Animal Influenza" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (April 2024) (Learn how and when to remove this message) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

OFFLU is the joint OIE-FAO global network of expertise on animal influenzas. OFFLU aims to reduce the negative impacts of animal influenza viruses by promoting effective collaboration between animal health experts and the human health sector. OFFLU analyzes and shares information and biological material to identify and reduce health threats early, and shares information about animal influenza viruses with the World Health Organization (WHO) to assist with the early preparation of human vaccines. It was established in 2005, initially to support the global effort to control H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza.

The technical contribution to OFFLU is provided by an open network of experts in animal influenza from the OIE and FAO Reference Laboratories and Collaborating Centres, and from other institutes with leading expertise in diagnostics, epidemiology, bioinformatics, vaccinology, and animal production. Under the coordination and management of OFFLU, experts work together in discussion groups called OFFLU Technical Activities on pertinent topics and on technical projects to provide concrete outputs on relevant influenza-related issues. To date, these Technical Activities have delivered guidance on diagnostic protocols, antigenic matching of vaccine strains with circulating field viruses, minimum biosafety guidelines for laboratory workers, and strategic guidance on animal influenza surveillance.

The effectiveness and degree of collaboration between OFFLU and the human health sector (WHO) has improved significantly. This was highlighted following the emergence of pandemic H1N1 in April 2009 when OFFLU rapidly mobilised its experts to address the human-animal interface aspects of pandemic H1N1 jointly with colleagues from the public health sector.

OFFLU continues to develop in terms of scope and geographical representation and is looking ahead to developing a sustainable and effective mechanism for monitoring influenza viruses in animals and for communicating significant findings to all partners quickly.