Report Looks at Global Animal Health

REDFIELD, Iowa (DTN) -- The World Organization of Animal Health (WOAH) released its first State of the World's Animal Health report May 23 recognizing how animal health is at the center of good global health.

"The spread, prevalence and impact of infectious animal diseases is changing, bringing new challenges for agriculture and food security, human health and development, and natural ecosystems," Emmanuelle Soubeyran, director general of WOAH, said during a press conference.

Even though WOAH has helped its member countries make animal health decisions for many years, this is the first year it has released an annual assessment which provides a comprehensive review of animal disease trends, risks and challenges, from the availability of vaccines to the use of antibiotics in animals.

AVIAN INFLUENZA CASES INCREASE

The report revealed the number of avian influenza cases in mammals more than doubled in 2024 from the previous year with 1,022 outbreaks across 55 countries as compared to 459 outbreaks in 2023.

Gregorio Torres, the head of WOAH's science department, said one reason for knowing the number of cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza in both poultry and mammals is because of better surveillance programs around the world.

"We do need to continue to watch how species are affected by avian influenza, because once it jumps from one species to another, it means mutation is happening," Torres said.

The report noted a loss of more than 633 million birds because of avian influenza infection or culling efforts aimed at controlling the spread of the virus during the last 20 years. The addition of non-poultry species in the outbreak during the past year has been 2,570 cases.

WOAH officials discussed how vaccines can be an effective tool to help manage diseases, but they also realize it sometimes comes with trade restrictions.

"We realize there are consequences of using vaccines and trade limitations," said Torres. "The subject of vaccines affecting trade needs (to be) debated more." In cases of diseases such as rabies, vaccines can thoroughly control the situation. Soubeyran said nearly 70,000 people die each year from rabies and the use of the vaccine is a very effective preventative measure.

"To limit the spread of highly damaging disease like avian influenza and foot-and-mouth disease, the global community must strengthen international cooperation and ensure equitable access to safe, effective vaccines, alongside other control measures," she added.

VACCINES MAKE A DIFFERENCE

The organization believes the use of vaccines to prevent disease could also reduce the need to use antibiotics to treat animals with certain diseases. The report noted a decrease in antimicrobial use in animals by 5% between 2020 and 2022. "If farmers worldwide reduce antibiotic use by 30% through improved hygiene, vaccination, and biosecurity, the global economy could gain $120 billion by 2050," the report stated.

Susana Guedes Pombo, president of the WOAH council, said the group has called for a continual investment in strengthening veterinary services around the globe. "The information we use for helping members make decisions is based on science. This is a very balanced group that follows set standards," she said. "We want our members to be transparent in their reporting of diseases so we can have safe trade around the world. Instead of making animal disease a political issue, we need decisions based on science."

WOAH called for continued improvement in diseases surveillance systems for effective disease control along with the use of advanced diagnostic tools to accurately track diseases and trade transparency. The organization hopes through surveillance the diseases affecting animals around the world will be less prevalent.

The full report can be seen at https://www.woah.org/….

Jennifer Carrico can be reached at jennifer.carrico@dtn.com

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