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May 25, 2025
A landmark report released by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) has revealed a worrying trend: infectious animal diseases are spreading to new regions and species at an unprecedented rate, with nearly half of these diseases capable of infecting humans.
Key Findings from the WOAH Report
The inaugural State of the World’s Animal Health report, published on May 23, 2025, highlights the increasing distribution and intensity of major animal diseases such as African Swine Fever (ASF), avian influenza, foot and mouth disease (FMD), and peste des petits ruminants (PPR). According to WOAH, these outbreaks are destabilizing agrifood systems, threatening global food security, public health, and biodiversity.
WOAH Director General Emmanuelle Soubeyran emphasized, “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.”
Between 2005 and 2023, nearly 47% of WOAH-notified diseases were zoonotic—capable of spreading from animals to humans.
Major Outbreaks and Their Impacts
African Swine Fever (ASF):
In October 2024, ASF made a dramatic leap of over 1,800 kilometers to Sri Lanka, marking the most significant “disease jump” of the year. Montenegro and Albania also recorded their first ASF outbreaks in early 2024. In total, 16 countries reported 6,807 outbreaks in 2024, resulting in over 222,000 animal losses among domestic pigs. Since its arrival in Georgia in 2007, ASF has spread across Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Americas, causing severe economic disruptions and threatening global pork supplies.
Avian Influenza (HPAI):
Avian influenza has devastated bird populations, with more than 630 million birds lost or culled over the past two decades. In 2024, the virus affected new regions and species, including a notable rise in mammal infections. Outbreaks in mammals doubled from 459 in 2023 to 1,022 in 2024, raising concerns about the virus’s potential to adapt and spread among humans. While the risk to humans remains low, the report warns that continued infections in mammals could increase this risk.
Other Notable Diseases:
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Bluetongue Virus: 3,626 outbreaks in 24 countries, affecting sheep, cattle, and goats.
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Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD): 216 outbreaks in 18 countries, including Germany’s first since 1988.
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Lumpy Skin Disease: 319 outbreaks in 11 countries, with first-time detections in North Africa and Japan.
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New World Screwworm: 8,363 outbreaks across Central America and Mexico.
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Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR): Re-emergence in Europe, with outbreaks in Greece, Romania, Bulgaria, and Hungary.
Drivers and Solutions
The report attributes the rise in animal disease outbreaks to shifting climate patterns, expanding international trade, and evolving pathogen dynamics. WOAH stresses that many of these diseases are preventable through vaccination, improved hygiene, and biosecurity measures. However, access to animal vaccines remains uneven, and challenges persist in research, production, and distribution.
France’s nationwide vaccination campaign in ducks in 2023 stands out as a success story, reducing expected avian influenza outbreaks from an estimated 700 to just 10.
WOAH calls for strengthened international cooperation and equitable access to safe, effective vaccines, alongside robust disease control measures, to limit the spread of highly damaging diseases.
Disclaimer:
This article is based on information from the World Organisation for Animal Health’s State of the World’s Animal Health report, as summarized by Down To Earth (May 23, 2025). The information is for general awareness and should not be considered as professional veterinary or medical advice. For specific concerns regarding animal or human health, please consult a qualified professional.
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