Context:

The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) has released its first-ever State of the World’s Animal Health Report on May 23, 2025, highlighting a sharp rise in infectious animal diseases. Nearly 47% of these diseases can spread to humans (zoonotic), posing serious risks to food security, public health, and ecosystems.

Key Highlights of the Report

1.       The report places strong emphasis on vaccination as a key tool for managing infectious diseases, reducing antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and securing global food systems.

2.      Surge in Infectious Animal Diseases

o    Infectious animal diseases are spreading to new regions and species.

o    Nearly 47% of reported diseases are zoonotic, meaning they can spread from animals to humans.

3.      Climate Change and Trade as Drivers: Changing climate, increased international trade, and pathogen evolution are intensifying disease outbreaks.

4.     Animal Health Is Global Health

o    The report stresses the One Health approach, linking animal, human, and environmental health.

5.     Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Threat: AMR is a growing global challenge, projected to threaten food security for 2 billion people by 2050, with a $100 trillion economic cost if unchecked.

6.     Unequal Access to Vaccines: Despite the success of vaccines, access remains uneven, especially in low-resource settings.

Important Data & Statistics

Zoonotic Diseases

• Nearly 47% of animal diseases reported between 2005 and 2023 are zoonotic.

African swine fever (ASF)

• First-ever incursion into Sri Lanka in 2024 (1,800 km leap).
• 16 countries reported 6,807 outbreaks in 2024.
• 1,532 in domestic pigs.
• 5,275 in wild boars.
• Resulted in 195,191 reported cases and 222,174 pig deaths.
• Vietnam piloted the first commercial ASF vaccine.

Avian Influenza (HPAI)

Avian Influenza (HPAI), or bird flu, has killed or led to the culling of over 630 million birds in the past 20 years.

In 2024, for the first time:

• More outbreaks were reported in non-poultry species (2,570) than in poultry (943)
• Mammal outbreaks doubled from 459 in 2023 to 1,022 in 2024

This increase in infections in animals like cattle, cats, and dogs raises concerns about the virus adapting to humans.

France’s Vaccination Success: In 2023, France became the first EU country to vaccinate ducks nationwide. As a result, it had only 10 outbreaks, compared to the 700 outbreaks predicted without vaccination.

Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD)

• Reported in 18 countries.
• Germany saw its first case since 1988; the EU’s first since 2011.
• New virus types detected in South Africa, Iraq, and Kuwait.

Lumpy Skin Disease

• 319 outbreaks in 11 countries, including first-time detection in Algeria, Libya, Tunisia, and Japan.

New World Screwworm

• 8,363 outbreaks in 7 countries.
• First detection in Mexico (Dec 2024).
• 60% of cases in Nicaragua.

Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR)

• Re-emerged in Europe in 2024-25:
• Greece, Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary.
• Once limited to the Global South.

Bluetongue Virus

• 3,626 outbreaks in 24 countries.
• Affects ruminants; spread by midges.

Rabies

• Causes 59,000 human deaths per year.
• Guinea vaccinated 92,000 dogs and cats in 2023.
• Bhutan achieved 90% vaccination of free-roaming dogs.

Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)

• Could cost $100 trillion by 2050.
• Affects food security of 2 billion people.
• WOAH's ANIMUSE platform tracks antimicrobial use in animals.

Conclusion

The report shows how animal diseases are becoming a global threat, spreading faster and infecting more species—including humans. Preventing the next pandemic will require global teamwork, equitable vaccine access, and a stronger One Health approach that connects animal, human, and environmental health.