Vlora, Albania | 31 March – 1 April 2026
Health, veterinary, and environmental experts from across South-Eastern Europe convened in Vlora, Albania, for a high-level regional workshop on strengthening coordinated responses to avian influenza through a One Health approach. The event was organized by the Regional Health Development Centre (RHDC) on Communicable Diseases hosted by SECID, Albania, in collaboration with national authorities, and the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US CDC). The South-eastern Europe Health Network (SEEHN) Director had the honor to contribute to the event.
The workshop addressed an increasingly urgent regional priority: the need for harmonized data systems, shared surveillance standards, and clearly defined response triggers to effectively manage zoonotic threats such as avian influenza. As highlighted during the opening by Dr Tatiana Paduraru, Head of the SEEHN Secretariat, the region’s geographic position along major migratory routes places it at the centre of emerging cross-border health risks, requiring a coordinated and proactive response.
Over two days of intensive technical work, participants from SEEHN Member States engaged in joint analysis, simulations, and working groups to:
- Define minimum datasets and interoperable data standards for cross-sectoral surveillance
- Establish common triggers for outbreak investigation and response
- Develop coordinated One Health action frameworks across human, animal, and environmental sectors
- Explore the use of innovative digital tools, genomics, and surveillance technologies
The outcomes of the workshop are expected to contribute to the development of a regional operational framework for coordinated public health action, reinforcing preparedness and response capacities across South-Eastern Europe.
Regional Action and Next Steps
Building on the results of this workshop, SEEHN, through its Regional Health Development Centre (RHDC) on Communicable Diseases (SECID), will facilitate a series of follow-up regional actions, including:
- Development of a regional consensus framework on One Health data standards and response triggers
- Establishment of a regional technical working group on zoonotic surveillance and data interoperability
- Support for capacity-building initiatives targeting national public health, veterinary, and environmental authorities
- Promotion of cross-border simulation exercises to test coordinated outbreak responses
- Exploration of digital solutions and shared platforms to strengthen real-time data exchange
- Contribution to the development of a sustainable regional One Health coordination mechanism
These actions aim to ensure that the SEE region moves from fragmented approaches to coordinated, evidence-based and timely responses, strengthening health security and protecting populations.
The SEEHN Secretariat reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Member States in advancing this agenda, fostering regional solidarity, and aligning efforts with broader European and global health frameworks.
