Palau Prepares Frontline Workers to Detect Bird Flu in Wildlife and Livestock

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…