Birds & Biosecurity: Lessons we're taking from Avian Flu to Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)
Resistomap’s work focuses on monitoring AMR, which is steadily gaining the critical attention it deserves in the wider field of biosecurity. But AMR does not spread overnight, and tracing its movement is a long and complex process that demands time, data, and patience. That is why we take note when the spread of infectious diseases is studied, especially in settings where people, animals and the environment interact. Insights from these studies can shed light on biosecurity challenges relevant to AMR. When researchers at a recent FAO webinar shared their investigations into how avian flu spreads and how it is being tackled on the ground, we listened in with AMR in mind. Here are three takeaways that stood out from our perspective:
1. One Health in practice
A particularly interesting concept that was mentioned in passing was the reference to wildlife as “users” of farm environments. While it’s well known that wild animals are drawn to farms, the framing of wildlife as co-occupants rather than merely intruders profoundly reflects the One Health approach, recognising that human, animal, and environmental health are deeply interconnected.
Wild birds, especially migratory species like ducks, often seek food and shelter on farms. Barns can offer a convenient refuge during long journeys or in rough weather. These visits aren’t always easy to spot, but they do happen. In the webinar, we saw photos of well-hidden nests tucked into angled air conditioning units, and evidence of birds entering buildings through chimneys and ventilation ducts. Even deceased wild animals have been found inside HVAC systems, a clear reminder of how complex and unpredictable exposure pathways can be.
Wildlife don’t mind fences, signs, or social distancing. Wherever food and water are available, they’re likely to drop in, which highlights the need for continuous, adaptive biosecurity practices.
2. Biosecurity must evolve with evidence
One important observation was that farming practices we often think of as routine or low risk can still affect biosecurity. For example, using heavy machinery to change litter or bedding in poultry houses might lead to cross-contamination. If the same equipment is used on more than one farm without proper cleaning, it can carry unwanted bacteria from one place to another.
This idea also relates to AMR. It’s not only disease-causing microbes that can spread between farms. Bacteria with resistance traits can also travel this way. When they reach a new farm, they might add resistance genes to the local bacterial mix.
That’s why it’s worth thinking twice about everyday practices. Just because something has always been done a certain way doesn’t mean it can’t be improved.
3. Social stigma and resource barriers
In an ideal world, spotting signs of disease like avian influenza would lead to immediate support and clear guidance. But for many farmers, the reality is more difficult. Reporting a suspected infection can come with serious consequences, including the loss of entire flocks. Without strong financial and social support systems, recovery can be incredibly hard.
In these situations, it is understandable that farmers may try to take action with the tools they have by turning to antibiotics. But when the illness is viral, like avian flu, turning to antibiotics does not help. Unfortunately, it can contribute to the wider problem of antimicrobial resistance.
This is where our focus on AMR becomes relevant. When awareness is limited and access to accurate information is lacking, antibiotics can end up being used in ways that offer no benefit and carry serious risks. In today’s world, it is essential that knowledge about medicine and the differences between diseases is shared clearly and widely. Using antibiotics to treat viral infections is a lose-lose situation, not just for the farmer but for the wider community as well.
Final Thoughts
Biosecurity isn’t just about fences and pesticides, it extends to everything from how equipment is shared, to how wildlife is managed, to how open we are about risks and resources. The FAO’s webinar was a great reminder that biosecurity challenges don’t only arrive with dramatic headlines, they slip in quietly, sometimes on feathers, sometimes on forklifts, and their consequences can ripple into the broader challenge of AMR.
The more we can stay curious, adaptable, and cooperative across the farming and research communities, the more resilient we’ll be. Because at the end of the day, birds will be birds and they definitely didn’t get the memo about social distancing.
If you’d like to see the presentations and webinar yourself, it's publicly accessible and can be viewed on the FAO website here: link to FAO.org webinar
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