Aviemore, 26-27 June 2007 – Scientists from around the world are meeting in Aviemore to consider the latest ways of combating the threat of avian flu. The 30 delegates representing countries from Europe, Asia and Africa are invited by the Convention on Migratory Species (UNEP/CMS), the Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) and the Scottish Executive, who organized the two-day meeting. The workshop will review the situation in individual countries and their recent outbreaks. Participants will also discuss what information is needed to understand potential infection routes and how data gathered by ornithological organisations can help. One of the main objectives will be the production of guidelines regarding how to deal with future outbreak of Ai and die-out event in wild birds at national level.

The workshop is the 2nd Technical Meeting of the Scientific Task Force on Avian Influenza and Wild Birds after the Scientific Seminar in Nairobi in April 2006. The Task Force currently composed of 14 members including UN bodies, wildlife treaties, specialist NGO's and institutions was established in August 2005 by UNEP/ CMS Secretariat in close cooperation with the UNEP/ AEWA Secretariat due to concerns about the role of migratory birds as potential vectors of the H5N1 virus and its rapid spread from Asia towards Europe and Africa.

• Conclusions and Recommendations from the Avian Influenza & Wildlife Workshop held in Aviemore, Scotland, UK, from 26 to 28 June 2007

• http://www.aiweb.info/document.aspx?DocID=135