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Key Points

A groundbreaking global report from the World Organisation for Animal Health reveals alarming trends in infectious animal diseases. Nearly half of these diseases have potential for animal-to-human transmission, significantly increasing pandemic risks. Climate change and increased global trade are major factors driving disease spread across multiple species. The research underscores the urgent need for comprehensive vaccination, biosecurity measures, and global health collaboration.

Key Points: Global Animal Disease Threat Half Raise Human Pandemic Risk

  • Avian influenza outbreaks doubled in 2024
  • Climate change accelerates disease transmission
  • Vaccine access remains uneven worldwide
  • Zoonotic diseases pose increasing pandemic risk
2 min read

Infectious animal diseases migrating to new species, about half raise threat to humans: Report

WOAH report reveals rising infectious animal diseases, with 47% potential zoonotic transmission threatening global health and food security

"The spread, prevalence, and impact of infectious animal diseases are changing - Dr. Emmanuelle Soubeyran, WOAH Director General"

New Delhi, May 24

Infectious animal diseases are affecting new areas and species, with half (47 per cent) having zoonotic -- or animal-to-human – potential, raising the risk of newer pandemics, according to a global report.

The new annual assessment, published by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), provides the first comprehensive review of animal disease trends, risks, and challenges, from the uptake and availability of vaccines to the use of antibiotics in animals.

It showed that the reported number of avian influenza outbreaks in mammals more than doubled last year compared to 2023 with 1,022 outbreaks across 55 countries compared to 459 outbreaks in 2023.

While its risk to humans remains low, the more mammalian species such as cattle, cats, or dogs are infected, the greater the possibility of the virus adapting to mammal-to-mammal, and potentially human, transmission, the authors said.

"The spread, prevalence, and impact of infectious animal diseases are changing, bringing new challenges for agriculture and food security, human health and development, and natural ecosystems," said Dr. Emmanuelle Soubeyran, Director General of WOAH.

The report also mentioned the increasing distribution and intensity of diseases such as African Swine Fever (ASF), avian influenza, foot and mouth disease (FMD), and peste des petits ruminants (PPR). It warned that their proliferation was destabilising agrifood systems, which can undermine global food security and biodiversity, in addition to human health.

The report cited climate change and increased trade as factors influencing the spread and prevalence of animal diseases, majorly recorded across several regions in 2024 and early 2025.

Although many are preventable through a combination of vaccination, improved hygiene, and biosecurity measures, the report noted that access to animal vaccines remains uneven around the world.

"Alongside other measures, vaccination remains one of the most powerful disease prevention tools available, saving countless lives, preventing economic losses, and reducing the need for antimicrobial treatments," Soubeyran added.

The report also emphasised the importance of disease prevention for reducing the need for antibiotic treatment and limiting the development of drug-resistant diseases.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya K.
This is very concerning for India where human-animal contact is so common. We need better monitoring of livestock markets and stricter hygiene protocols. Remember how COVID started? Prevention is better than cure! 🐄
R
Rahul S.
Our government should invest more in veterinary research and vaccine development. We can't always depend on foreign organizations. Look at how ASF affected pork prices last year - this impacts common people's plates.
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Anjali M.
Climate change making things worse as usual 😔 More heat means more mosquitoes, more diseases jumping species. We need to address root causes while preparing for new health threats. Our poultry farmers need better protection!
V
Vikram P.
The report mentions uneven vaccine access - this is so true in India! While cities have good vet care, rural areas suffer. My cousin lost his entire goat herd to PPR last year. Government schemes need better ground implementation.
S
Sunita R.
Respectfully, I think we're focusing too much on animals when human healthcare itself needs improvement. First fix our hospitals, then worry about animal diseases. Priorities matter in a developing country like ours.
K
Karan D.
Avian flu in mammals is scary! In Mumbai, so many street dogs eat chicken waste - could they become carriers? BMC needs to monitor this. Also, shoutout to our desi scientists working on these challenges! 🇮🇳

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