While updating the annual data on the use of antimicrobials on animals in New Caledonia, Dr. Stéphanie Sourget – head of the quarantine and animal health section at the New Caledonian veterinary, food, and phytosanitary inspection service – was surprised to uncover evidence of the actual cessation of medicated feed imports in the country in just two years. Sure, training and awareness campaigns on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) had been done: it was reasonable to expect that many farmers, food providers and veterinarians were informed about the risks connected to AMR.

More importantly, Dr. Sourget noted that between 2022 and 2023, the New Caledonian pork production supply chain had completely stopped importing medicated feed. After speaking with representatives from the supply chain, Dr. Sourget found that this significant change had no negative impact on producers or animal health, nor did it lead to an increased use of other antimicrobials.

The data is clear: as reported on ANIMUSE, in 2023 antimicrobial imports in New Caledonia dropped from 873 kg to 485 kg, a 44% decrease. The main reason is no medicated feed was imported in 2023, accounting for 93% of the overall decline in antimicrobials imports.  

Medicated feed is animal feed that has been mixed with medication or therapeutic substances. It is used to treat or prevent diseases in animals, or to promote their growth. In New Caledonia, pork ranks as the third largest meat industry after beef and poultry, supplying the entire territory with fresh swine products. Historically, this industry was a significant user of medicated feed—but not anymore. 

A general trend toward antimicrobial reduction

New Caledonia presents a success story that aligns with many other significant achievements in the animal health sector combating AMR. It was the result of a collaborative effort driven by the New Caledonia veterinary services, with numerous awareness-raising activities on AMR, targeting feed providers, farmers, and veterinarians. The outcome was well worth it, as Dr. Sourget points out:

The decision to stop the importation of medicated feed was made by the pig industry stakeholders and resulted in a reduction of 335 kg in the importation of antibiotics contained in the feed. This represents almost the entire decrease observed for antimicrobials imported in New Caledonia between 2022 and 2023. One of the surprises was being able to completely stop the importation of medicated feed in just two years.

Dr. Sourget, head of the quarantine and animal health section at the New Caledonian veterinary, food, and phytosanitary inspection service.

“Moreover, we were concerned about the risk that this modification in piglet feed could cause high mortality rates, which could have had significant economic repercussions for the sector. However, we are pleased to note that everything is going very well, both from the perspective of farmers and feed distributors—who have recorded a growth reduction of only 1 kg—and from an animal health standpoint”, she adds.

Dr. Coralie Lussiez, head of the biosecurity division of the Caledonian veterinary, food, and phytosanitary inspection service and WOAH’s delegate for New Caledonia, echoes Dr. Sourget’s enthusiasm: “We are very pleased with the results of our campaigns and efforts: a major achievement that we aim to sustain in the coming years. This success is also an excellent example of One Health collaboration across sectors. In fact, beyond extensively communicating with various stakeholders to raise awareness about the risks of AMR, we have participated in investigations into the presence of resistant bacteria in New Caledonia, working closely with human health, environmental, and research sectors”. 

The importance of biosecurity

The case of New Caledonia is also an example of good use of opportunities and resources. Like many other parts of the world, also New Caledonian authorities had to prepare against the spread of African swine fever (ASF) over the last years.

As part of the prevention measures to maintain the ASF free status of New Caledonia, between 2020 and 2023, the pig farmers representatives and the private veterinarian association organised several trainings on biosecurity in pig farms against ASF, thanks to the support of the local veterinary services and financial support of the provinces and the rural agency. Dr. Stéphanie Sourget noted: “Even though this awareness campaign was more focused on the threat of African swine fever, it helped spread advice on general biosecurity best practices, which also assist farmers in improving their practices to limit health risks”. 

The veterinary, food, and phytosanitary inspection service is now willing to share with all the stakeholders involved the results of this coordinated strategy. It will also be possible through ANIMUSE, the database developed by WOAH collecting and making publicly available data and studies on the use of antimicrobials all over the world. By providing this resource, ANIMUSE encourages decision makers to take data-driven decisions to reduce antimicrobial use. As Dr. Coralie Lussiez explained: 

Our commitment to reducing antibiotic use in livestock in New Caledonia dates back to 2015, when we began submitting data to WOAH through the ANIMUSE project. Accessing detailed facts and figures on the platform has further reinforced our dedication to this goal.

Dr. Coralie Lussiez, head of the biosecurity division of the Caledonian veterinary, food, and phytosanitary inspection service and WOAH’s delegate for New Caledonia.

To reduce antimicrobial use, an alternative to drugs and medicated feed is needed, as the New Caledonia effort to improve biosecurity measures shows.  Dr. Morgan Jeannin, project manager at WOAH’s AMR Department, found in this story some useful insights for the future: “It is very encouraging to see that biosecurity actions have had a cross-cutting and lasting impact on good farming practices. These are fundamental principles that we advocate for at the highest levels, as demonstrated by the resolution passed at the United Nations last September. It is wonderful to see the real on-the-ground effects of applying these principles”. 

Learn more about ANIMUSE

Not all emergencies are the same, but they share one single trait: their highly unpredictable nature. This means they can occur at any time, catching societies off guard and potentially leading to catastrophic consequences. 

Global challenges including urbanisation, climate change, political instability and the steady rise in technology are key drivers behind today’s diverse range of hazardous events.  

In 2024 alone, the world has grappled with numerous crises – from deadly Atlantic and Pacific storms to typhoons in Southeast Asia and the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. While they may differ in nature, such diverse challenges often have similar impacts, among which the outbreak of infectious diseases, disruptions to food chains, and inevitable economic losses. The cascading effects of extreme events also underscore the interconnectedness of our ecosystems, where human, animal and environmental crises are not only linked but sometimes exacerbate each other.  

Keeping up with a changing world 

Data collected by EM-DAT suggests that the number of severe disasters increases each year. To further complicate the current hazard space, the risk of intentionally released or engineered pathogens also looms large, given their low cost and accessibility.

So, what if the next global crisis was not a natural occurrence, but rather something deliberately caused? Terrorists with a political agenda, individuals driven by extremist ideology and other actors with malicious intentions can be drawn to the use of diseases as a powerful weapon, posing a real danger to societies. 

Biological threats – natural, intentional or accidental – could destabilise economies dependent on agriculture and threaten biodiversity, killing millions of human and animal lives. On the scale of disasters, deliberate biothreats are likely to rank at the top, given their destructive potential.  

Deliberate bio-attacks involving animal diseases may not be an everyday occurrence, but imagining “the unimaginable” can allow us to prepare for an unforeseeable future. While we cannot fully predict extreme events with accuracy and precision – let alone prevent disasters from happening in the first place – there is something we can do: change how we prepare for them. 

Combatting biothreats: The past informs the future 

Expanding capacity across the spectrum of biological threats is more pressing than ever. Yet, there is evidence that we are not quite well prepared for them. The 2021 Global Health Security (GHS) Index score averaged just 38.9, highlighting the fundamental weakness of global preparedness for epidemics and pandemic.

As global resilience to hazards continues to be tested, it is important that we look back at the past and reflect on emergencies caused by extreme events of various nature. In fact, they can provide valuable lessons and inform the actions needed to combat deliberate biothreats. The strategies we use to respond to hazardous events can be powerful tools in preparing for deliberate biothreats. A striking example is offered by the early warning systems adopted to prepare for weather and climate-related disasters, which can also be applied to biothreats.

A radical shift in approach

Responding to extreme events of different nature highlights a critical takeaway: emergency management and disaster risk reduction in animal health is a shared responsibility across multiple stakeholders. If health agencies, government authorities and security forces operate in silos, there are high chances for response efforts to be fragmented, slow, or largely ineffective. In stark contrast, multisectoral collaboration—bringing together experts from health, security, agriculture, and other sectors—can ensure a more holistic response that addresses all aspects of a potential biothreat. 

Today’s fast-moving world calls for an ‘all-hazards approach’ to preparedness. Embracing this vision can allow for effective emergency management, eventually increasing the resilience of vulnerable communities in the face of uncertainty. At the same time, collaboration across key actors underpins preparedness against biological threats, regardless of their origins.  Through working with Partners, WOAH is committed to preparing global communities for critical events and advocates for better preparedness as well as response strategies among its Members. 

Building on this, the Organisation has created a series of short documentaries that illustrate the impact of extreme events – natural, climate change-driven or man-made ones. The experience in the field offered the unique opportunity to observe lessons in emergency management and disaster risk reduction that could be applied to real-world cases of deliberate biothreats – an ever-growing threat and  challenging phenomenon to witness.  

Supported by funding from Global Affairs Canada Weapons Threat Reduction Program, the project culminated in an interactive, multimedia long-form article (scrolly-telling). This article illustrates different crisis scenarios and puts forward solutions to enhance preparedness against any type of biothreats. Its central message is clear: preparedness against any type of biothreats – including those that are intentionally released – is vital to ensuring global security.

Have you read?

Unknown Enemy: preparing against biothreats

Explore an interactive article on crisis scenarios and proposed solutions to strengthen biothreat preparedness.

Discover more

Bluetongue is a vector-borne viral disease which infects ruminants (such as sheep, cattle and goats) and is transmitted by biting midges. Historically, it has been endemic in the tropics and subtropics where temperature and humidity are ideal for biting midge survival. However, it began to migrate to the Mediterranean basin and Southern Europe in the late 1990s.

As data from the World Animal Health Information System (WAHIS) shows, the virus slowly moved further north to Central and Northern Europe, where—given lower temperatures and different environments—the vector was not expected to survive. This change of the disease distribution caused 28 European countries to report over 58,000 unexpected outbreaks of the disease between 2007 and 2010. 2023 saw similar epizootic events at higher latitudes in Europe due to a newly emerged serotype of the bluetongue virus—serotype 3, which is currently reported in several European countries.  

Map 1: The spread of bluetongue in Europe (2005 – 2024)

The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) is following the spread of bluetongue serotype 3 carefully as this serotype is particularly menacing—causing high mortality rates in sheep. Although bluetongue does not affect human health, it can be devastating to livelihoods. Its impact on animals, in terms of mortality and reduction of milk production, as well as indirect losses, such as impact on trade or disease-control activities, makes farmers especially vulnerable to the consequences of the disease. 

A shift in vector-borne diseases 

The spread of bluetongue from North Africa to Southern, Central and Northern Europe is an example of how climate change, vector habitat suitability, animal population density, distribution and movement interact to change the pattern of disease.

For a vector-borne disease to incur in a new geographical area, the vector must be able to survive in that region. And, with temperatures increasing globally, we are seeing bluetongue and other vector-borne diseases (such as Crimean-Congo fever, tick-borne encephalitis, epizootic haemorrhagic fever, and West Nile fever) spread into temperate regions following spikes in global temperature. This is especially concerning considering that around one third of the 91 diseases of terrestrial animals listed by WOAH in 2024 are vector-borne, and among them some potentially severe zoonosis. 

Map 2: The spread of bluetongue serotype 3 in Europe 

Crucial too, is the changing length of the transmission season. Overwintering, which is a virus’s ability to survive through the winter and re-emerge in the spring, is impacted by climate conditions. According to Dr. Christopher Sanders, research fellow at The Pirbright Institute in the United Kingdom, climate change has likely lengthened the transmission period for the bluetongue virus. This increases the probability of the virus’s survival across seasons. “Essentially the midges are active earlier and continue their activity until later in the year,” he explains, “And that means that the gap between transmission seasons is actually reduced, which may allow the virus to overwinter more easily.” 

Controlling the spread of bluetongue

Ensuring that the movement of cattle, sheep, goats and other susceptible species does not cause long distant spread of bluetongue is key. WOAH international standards provide for science-based codes of conduct for safe international trade. When it comes to controlling the spread of the virus, vaccination campaigns remain the most effective control measure.

It is important to ensure the vaccine has been manufactured according to WOAH standards and provides protection against the specific serotype(s) circulating in the area. Vaccines against several bluetongue serotypes which reduce the spread of the virus and control clinical signs exist, but they are not always readily available. Therefore, it is essential that public and private sectors collaborate to understand the risks associated with the circulating serotypes and the demand for vaccines. The current recommendations for the surveillance of the disease can be found in the WOAH International Standards.  

“Given the epidemiological situation of bluetongue,” says Paolo Tizzani, veterinary epidemiologist at WOAH, “Whose dynamics are driven by movements of the virus, the vectors and the status of vaccination coverage, determining the risk of where a vector and pathogen could establish is crucial.” Veterinary professionals play an important part in monitoring and controlling disease, as well as mitigating the future consequences of climate change.

Veterinary Services in Europe are exploring how to be more proactive in minimising the impact of climate change. Thinking outside the box with different disciplines, especially with the help of ecologists, is essential. Though it is not part of the immediate control measures, understanding the ecology of vectors remains important to better prepare us to anticipate risks and potentially identify alternative control measures.

Alexandre Fediaevsky, acting Head of the Preparedness and Resilience Department at WOAH.

Climate change affects environments, animals and humans alike. And, as vector-borne diseases move to temperate areas, surveillance becomes more important to disease prevention and control. Reporting to WAHIS is crucial to disease control, along with adopting a One Health approach that embraces innovation and collaboration. “Continuing to invest in these approaches is crucial,” insists Fediaevsky, “Especially since they benefit both animal and public health sectors.” 

In 2023, Georgia embraced a One Health approach by adopting a One Health National Action Plan, aimed at addressing the spread of vector-borne and zoonotic diseases.

Collaboration between primary agencies  in charge of protecting human, animal, and environmental health  in  Georgia—the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), National Food Agency (NFA), State Laboratory of Agriculture (SLA)—and international organisations, including the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) has already led to progress in controlling vector-borne diseases. One such vector-borne disease is Q-fever, an illness spread by ticks which affects mammals, birds, reptiles, arthropods and humans.  

Vector-borne diseases, which are infections spread through organisms like mosquitoes, midges and ticks, account for more than 17% of all infectious diseases worldwide. And, due to climate change, vectors are more likely to survive in places where they had previously been absent, paving the way for outbreaks in those areas. This interaction between environment and vectors makes controlling the spread of vector-borne diseases especially dependent on multi-sectorial collaboration. “As demonstrated by the COVID-19 pandemic,” says Vasili Basiladze, Deputy Head of NFA and WOAH Delegate for Georgia, “Addressing animal health is crucial to preventing outbreaks in humans. A One Health approach facilitates the early detection and control of such diseases.”  

Collaboration to combat vector-borne diseases

No stranger to multi-sectoral partnership, Georgia’s NFA has worked collaboratively with SLA and NCDC since 2012 to facilitate data-sharing and support information flow between agencies. However, its adoption of a One Health National Plan has increased the scope and impact of disease control and prevention measures. “Vector-borne diseases have become a significant public health issue in Georgia,” says Basiladze, “The country has made significant progress in controlling them, but ongoing efforts were needed to monitor and manage the risk of disease.”  

Georgia hosted several multi-sector roundtables focused on assessing risk and the potential impacts of emerging and re-emerging vector-borne diseases. These were attended by WOAH, the World Health Organization (WHO), the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), and the U.S. Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

These multi-discipline meetings focused on enhancing prevention and control measures—including public awareness campaigns, vector control initiatives, and risk assessments which, with respect to Q-fever, is welcome in the region. “Georgia currently lacks a formal legal framework for managing Q-fever,” explains Basiladze, “While it has not reached the epidemic levels seen in some countries, it causes risks—particularly in rural farming communities. WOAH’s role is crucial as it develops international standards and supporting frameworks.” 

Setting up for success 

Georgia’s efforts align with the One Health Joint Plan of Action initiative. This plan seeks to integrate systems and build capacity to collectively tackle health threats at the animal-human-environment interface with specific attention given to controlling and eliminating endemic zoonoses, neglected tropical diseases, and vector-borne diseases. 

Basiladze encourages other countries looking to implement a One Health approach to engage in active coordination and joint health workshops. “It is also crucial to elaborate a unified health action plan,” he advises, “Create a list of priority disease in the country, and conduct a joint risk assessment.” From there, countries can begin to implement basic One Health measures like vaccination, active and passive surveillance, treatment and awareness campaigns to educate farmers and the broader public about animal diseases.  

His emphasis on collaboration and joint health efforts perfectly reflects the core principle of One Health: diseases cannot be contained in silos; their treatment requires multi-sectoral cooperation. One Health ensures that all sectors and disciplines contribute to protecting the health of animals, humans and the environment. One Health initiatives, like Georgia’s, enable Veterinary Services, communities, international organisations and public health sectors to work together to prevent the spread of disease. Because animal health is our health. It’s everyone’s health.  

When an outbreak occurs, fake news and conspiracy theories can circulate rapidly, often going viral. For those of us working in animal health, the comparison between how misinformation spreads and how viruses propagate is strikingly appropriate. 

In 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) warned that, in addition to the challenges brought by the pandemic, the world was grappling with an “infodemic” sparked by the proliferation of conspiracy theories and falsehoods about the novel virus. This marked the first pandemic in history in which misinformation spread on an unprecedented scale thanks to technological advancements and the Internet. 

A study published in the American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene estimated that at least 800 people may have died worldwide due to coronavirus-related misinformation during the first three months of 2020. At the time, it was not uncommon to see the pandemic described as a “hoax” or the virus labeled a “bioweapon” in online content.

The pandemic underscored the role that misinformation plays during health crises, contributing to the spread and impact of real-world diseases in dangerous ways. The COVID-19 emergency, however, uniquely prepared us for future infodemics, leaving behind a legacy of awareness for generations to come. 

Misinformation is a false, deceptive, misleading or manipulated information not disseminated with the intention to deceive. It is often spread by people who do not realise it is false and do not intend to cause harm.

Misinformation: a widespread challenge

Propaganda and conspiracy theories about diseases can provide people with simple and easy answers to complex questions. Throughout history, deceptive and misleading information has been used to manipulate people, especially those who don’t have the scientific knowledge to see through falsehoods, leading to widespread mistrust, anxiety and fear.  

When information is deliberately created, presented and disseminated with the intent to deceive, mislead or cause harm to advance specific agendas or distort public opinion, the phenomenon is described as ‘disinformation’.

The rise of social media has only compounded the problem. In recent years, platforms such as Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) have become places where people seek answers and reassurance during times of uncertainty, including pandemics and natural disasters. Unfortunately, these platforms also create fertile ground for unverified statements and generally harmful content.

Dr Helen Roberts, a G7 Advisor on Exotic Disease Control at the UK’s Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA), recalls a recent case involving misinformation around avian influenza in cattle. In the United States, some social media users were suggesting to drink raw milk with HPAI in it, falsely claiming that it would vaccinate people against the flu.

But it is not just social media users who fall prey to misinformation. During outbreaks, even reputable news outlets can sometimes misinterpret information from official sources. 

Identifying misinformation may be a daunting task due to its nature and pervasiveness. However, our collective resilience against it can be strengthened. 

Tackling the viral spread of misinformation

To address the problem of misinformation, a multifaceted solution is needed. On one side, scientists and veterinarians should develop the ability to debunk messages spread by “self-appointed” health experts. At the same time, journalists should embrace standard ethical principles and ensure that they report only on verified information from reliable sources. To avoid misquoting data and statistics in any in-depth coverage, accuracy – not speed – should be prioritised, particularly when it comes to sensitive topics like disease outbreaks. 

Equally important is educating the public to critically assess the news they consume. This is vital for helping individuals discern trustworthy sources and reject falsehoods. 

The impacts of misinformation stretch far beyond instilling fear and anxiety. False claims can erode public trust in government and health authorities, complicating efforts to control disease outbreaks. When authorities were investigating notifiable diseases or undertaking surveillance during the H5N1 epizootic (2020-2022) in the United Kingdom, some small-holders or backyard keepers refused to allow them on their farms, claiming that government officials were responsible for spreading the disease. There has also been a rise in resistance to vaccines, with some people claiming their pets had adverse reactions to rabies vaccines. 

Dr. Roberts emphasises the need to tailor communications to different audiences. She notes the importance of adapting language when discussing risk, particularly with pet owners. “If we are communicating with pet owners, we need to remember that animals are part of the family. Simply saying their family is at risk of rabies is not effective—it’s a rare event. Instead, explaining that certain dogs may not adapt well to family environments might be a more realistic and relatable message,” she explains.

This is why governments and scientific organisations alike need to use simple, inclusive and comprehensive language. Information about today’s wide-ranging threats should empower stakeholders—including veterinarians, farmers, and digital citizens of all ages—to make informed decisions, rather than overwhelm them with fear. 

Today’s multi-risk landscape is complex and ever evolving. Against this backdrop, WOAH is acutely aware of the importance of equipping society with the necessary tools to truly understand the hazards they face. Misinformation is no exception. As part of a coordinated effort around emergency preparedness with INTERPOL, the organisation has drafted guidelines on disinformation and misinformation in animal health emergencies which outline the nature of the problem while presenting practical solutions, tools, and strategies for overcoming it. 

As diseases continue to spread across the globe, WOAH remains committed to fostering a culture of disaster prevention and raising awareness about the dangers of misinformation in animal health. 

Diseases already affecting domestic animals worldwide – including African swine fever (ASF) and high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) – are endangering wildlife too, reminds a new report, posing a significant threat to biodiversity and jeopardising efforts to eradicate these diseases.

These findings emerge from the latest Wildlife Diseases Situation Report by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), the periodic publication that analyses data from the World Animal Health Information System (WAHIS), the platform developed by WOAH to collect and publicly share global animal health data. 

Between January and June 2024, 55 countries and territories have reported 3,800 outbreaks in wildlife, with over 11,500 cases registered and 151 wildlife species affected by eight diseases. Ten percent of these species are at risk of extinction according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). HPAI and ASF – two of the diseases that have the biggest impact on domestic animals – were also responsible for most of the outbreaks reported: 659 and 2,863 respectively. 

HPAI threatens animals at risk of extinctions 

HPAI has led to the death and mass slaughter of over 557 million poultry worldwide between 2005 and 2023 and in 2024 it was detected in the Antarctic region for the first time.  

Several animal diseases threaten wildlife, but HPAI proved to be particularly dangerous for animals at risk of extinction. In fact, it affected 13 out of 15 species at risk mentioned in the report, with particularly alarming cases reported in Chinese Taipei, where five black-faced spoonbills – whose population is estimated at 2,200 adult animals – died. Other notable cases include a case in a saker falcon in Hungary (estimated population between 12,200 and 29,800) and cases of 12 jackass penguins in South Africa (with an estimated population of 41,700, existing only in southern Africa). 

While HPAI usually affects domestic and wild birds, it has also been found in several species of wild mammals, raising concern about its increasing capacity to spill over between species and its zoonotic potential. Experts have closely monitored this over the years. To date, HPAI has only occasionally affected humans: mostly people working or living in close contact with animals, with limited capacity of human-to-human transmission. 

The far-reaching impact of ASF on wildlife 

African swine fever (ASF) is the most widespread disease in wildlife, in term of outbreaks reported to WOAH during the period, and the second most impactful on animals at risk of extinction (1 out of the 15 species at risk of extinction). 

ASF currently affects millions of pigs and boars all over the world. With its significant death toll and the connected containment measures – including restrictions on animal movement and trade – ASF poses a global threat to livestock and food security. It is also becoming more difficult to eradicate, since a sylvatic (wildlife-based) epidemiological cycle has been established in many regions of the world, the report notes. 

In the Philippines, 24 Visayan warty pigs, a species surviving until today on few islands of the archipelago, have died due to ASF. WOAH warns that from a broader perspective the reduction of wild suids could be an ecological issue not only in terms of conservation, but also because of a potential increase in tensions between major predators, facing restricted access to food in their natural environment. 

The report highlights the underlying interdependence between ecosystems. The health of wildlife is deeply entwined with the health of other animals, the environment and even humans. By reporting and monitoring diseases across the animal health spectrum, we safeguard livestock, food security, biodiversity, and human health – ultimately investing in a healthier, more sustainable future. 

In 2023, Guinea rolled out a mass dog-vaccine campaign to control the spread of rabies—the first of its kind in the country. Between August and December 2023, around 90,000 dogs were vaccinated with vaccines procured through WOAH’s vaccine bank, bringing the dog-vaccine coverage to almost 70% in the capital, Conakry. A great accomplishment for Guinea, where dogs remain the main vector for the transmission of rabies, causing 99% of human cases.  

One Health in the face of zoonoses 

Much of the success of the campaign is due to Dr. Mohamed Idriss Doumbouya, Director of Guinea’s National Directorate of Veterinary Services (DNVS) and Guinea’s WOAH Delegate. He and his team collaborated with regional localities and engaged the global community to ensure the successful implementation of the campaign.

“Our counterparts in the health sector are working in the One Health spirit,” Dr. Doumbouya explained, “We ensured that this initiative was truly multisectoral.” Collaboration at both regional and international levels helped convert vaccines into vaccinated dogs. Locally, cities donated refrigerators to conserve the vaccines to localities that didn’t have access to them.

Globally, partnerships with USAID, US CDC, United Against Rabies (UAR) forum and the World Bank provided on-the-ground training, post-vaccination evaluations and funding for both vaccines and vaccinators. Through his efforts, Guinea’s Veterinary Services were able to procure high-quality vaccines through WOAH’s vaccine bank, which Dr. Doumbouya credits as a large factor for the success of the campaign. “We thought that if we were to have high-quality vaccines, they had to come from WOAH,” he said. “That way we wouldn’t run the risk of vaccinating the animals with anything below standard.”  

The future of rabies control in Guinea

Spreading awareness of the gravity of the disease goes hand-in-hand with any rabies control initiative. Dr. Doumbouya advises other countries considering following in Guinea’s footsteps to make community education campaigns a part of their plan. “We are in the process of creating an educational campaign to teach the public about the gravity of rabies”, he affirmed, “As well as a waste management programme because large numbers of free-roaming dogs gather around landfills looking for food, exposing nearby communities to potential zoonoses.” 

Preparatory measures are already in place for future wide-spread dog-vaccine campaigns, as Guinea aims to procure 150,000 more vaccines through WOAH’s vaccine bank before the end of 2024, and every year after until 2030. The goal? Herd immunity for the entire dog population. So far, the campaign has touched 11 localities and plans to reach harder to access communities as more vaccines come in. In addition to this, smaller local dog vaccine campaigns and public education events have been planned for World Rabies Day, on 28 September. 

Beyond future dog vaccine campaigns and surveillance is raising awareness of the gravity of the disease. “Rabies needs to be seen as a public health problem,”
Dr. Doumbouya insisted, “I think that the authorities are really ready to support, because today, in 2024, people continue to die of rabies in Africa.”

When asked if stopping the spread of dog-mediated rabies by 2030 was feasible, he did not hesitate to say yes. “I believe it’s possible. If all African countries put in place vaccine campaigns like this one. With rabies as a public health priority, the goal can be achieved.”

The world has never consumed more aquatic animal protein than today. Fisheries and aquaculture production reached a record 223.2 million tonnes in 2022¹, largely due to the growth of aquaculture, particularly in Asia. It is estimated that about 600 million livelihoods depend on fisheries and aquaculture, including primary workers, their families, and the entire economies supported by them. Aquatic animal production is one of the main levers for livelihoods and food security around the globe and is expected to keep growing. A 14% growth is forecast by 2030.   

The “seafood revolution”: assessing the importance of aquatic animal health  

Aquaculture will be largely responsible for this increase. It is estimated that the global seafood supply will rise from 154 million tonnes in 2011 to 186 million tonnes in 2030–an increase solely based on aquaculture. Moreover, food production systems and the way they evolve play a crucial role in addressing climate change.

In 2019, the EAT Lancet Commission recommended a shift toward plant-based diets, with a reduction in beef, poultry, pork and eggs, but an increase in seafood consumption. The aquatic animal sector has a crucial role to play in facing one of the world’s most pressing global challenges. 

For aquaculture to meet this demand without increasing its environmental impact or posing health risks, there is a need for continual improvements in production systems, all along the chain. Notably, the coining of international regulations and standards, including ones on aquatic animal welfare, can drive this growth along an environmentally sound path. This is where WOAH’s work comes into play.  

Creating international aquatic animal health standards 

WOAH’s Aquatic Code was published in 1995, providing a separate set of specific standards for aquatic animals, along with the Manual of Diagnostic Tests aimed at laboratories. These standards are based on the best available science and provide practical approaches to aquatic animal health management. 

In order to highlight the importance of implementing these recommendations, as well as to bring together stakeholders from the aquatic sector, the first WOAH Global Conference on Aquatic Animal Health was held in Bergen, Norway, in 2006. During the following conference five years later, the Panama Declaration stressed the need for global cooperation, improved disease reporting and better capacity-building to enforce implementation of standards. Global efforts culminated in 2019, at the 4th Global Conference on Aquatic Animal Health in Santiago, Chile, where National Director of Sernapesca and current president of WOAH’s Aquatic Animals Commission, Dr Alicia Gallardo Lagno, testified on the importance of regional collaboration: “In the past, a disease caused a loss of 73% of Chile’s fish production. Our national authority took measures in line with WOAH Standards. For us, it is important to share our experience on such situations with other countries, especially in America”. It was during this conference that WOAH Director General Monique Éloit made a commitment to develop an aquatic animal health strategy.  

Advancing a global strategy for aquatic animal health 

The Aquatic Animal Health Strategy was launched two years later during the 88th General Session. “It is the basis on which we will take action, in dialogue with our partners, to pursue our vision of improved aquatic animal health and welfare worldwide,” explained Dr Monique Éloit then. She also reflected on her past experience as Chief Veterinary Officer in her country, when she realised she did not have the technical knowledge or trained staff to deal with a surge of oyster spat disease. WOAH’s Aquatic Animal Health Strategy was designed to remedy such situations, with four objectives:  

• The development and update of scientifically sound standards to manage risks, facilitate safe trade and improve aquatic animal health and welfare. 

• Capacity-building programmes to strengthen Aquatic Animal Health Services.  

• Procedures, guidelines and coordinated support to improve the global response to emerging diseases. 

• Leadership on animal health and welfare, to develop international partnerships and engage scientific and policy networks. 

Like every major project at WOAH’s, the Aquatic Animal Health Strategy was developed in close collaboration with Members, and Aquatic Animal Health Services to ensure the necessary tools are available for countries to act, especially by developing their own national guidelines based on WOAH’s Standards.

Improving surveillance systems with the Aquatic Animal Health Strategy 

One of the goals underscored in the Aquatic Animal Health Strategy is to get Members more involved by making standards easier to understand. This has already proven helpful: WOAH Standards were updated to better support the setting up of surveillance systems, which help obtain information on the situation and occurrence of aquatic animal diseases. Following this update, countries were able to better understand and implement the requirements for self-declaration of freedom from an aquatic animal disease. 

The updated standards also enable better compliance with WOAH’s Aquatic Code, especially with disease reporting, early detection and rapid response–all crucial elements when it comes to mitigating the spread of diseases worldwide. 

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Today’s global risk landscape is complex and ever evolving. Technological advancements, climate change, globalisation and shifting demographics are just some of the factors that are leaving people, animals and the environment they inhabit increasingly vulnerable to known and emerging risks, including infectious diseases, whether they are natural, accidental or deliberate in origin.

Information overload adds yet another layer of complexity. The current digital landscape has forever changed the way we access and consume news. Social media, prominently, allows for instant information flow. At the same time, digital technologies have fragmented media, giving online audiences a wide range of channels and outlets to source information from. Against this backdrop, the ability of individuals and institutions to tell fake news from real is continuously put to the test.  

In the aftermath of the COVID-19 global crisis, international agencies, governments, scientists, the media, civil society groups and concerned citizens have been taking action to understand what the major challenges were and identify important lessons from the past.

Misinformation is inaccurate information, usually spread without harmful intent. Disinformation is inaccurate or misleading information, deliberately created and spread to cause harm to target governments, organisations or people. 

A multi-sectoral approach in a multi-risk environment 

The animal health sector is just as vulnerable to threats posed by misinformation and disinformation. In October 2022, viral online content about the spread and treatment of lumpy skin disease stirred up conspiracy theories, undermining cattle vaccination efforts and suggesting that milk is not safe to drink. The United Kingdom’s leading news source, the BBC debunked the claim using facts grounded in science and the voices of experts. This is only one of the several stories that made international headlines, highlighting how the animal health sector can be severely impacted by false narratives. 

Almost every animal disease outbreak from Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE or mad cow disease), to Foot and mouth disease (FMD), African Swine Fever (ASF) and avian influenza has been accompanied by misinformation and disinformation. 

The evolution of a multi-hazard landscape demands a new, innovative approach to detecting and responding to misinformation and disinformation. When the spread of false information is linked to criminal or terrorist activities, for instance, it requires involvement of Law Enforcement agencies.  

Ensuring global health security needs response systems which should be cross-sectoral, critical, engaged and well-informed. “Malicious actors continuously engage in harmful, multi-layered disinformation campaigns that aim to disrupt, divide, damage and undermine their targets“, argues Ben Wakefield, Senior Analyst and ELBI (Emerging Leaders in Biosecurity Fellowship) Deputy Director at Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security.

In recent years we have seen clear examples of multi-layered disinformation campaigns during the COVID-19 pandemic. The animal health sector is at risk of similar disinformation campaigns, which could have a significant impact on trade and food security and make the world less stable and a less secure place for all.

Ben Wakefield, Senior Analyst and ELBI (Emerging Leaders in Biosecurity Fellowship) Deputy Director at Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security 

If no action is taken, the consequences of untruthful or misleading statements can be significant, increasing the risk for animal and zoonotic diseases to quickly spread, also eroding people’s trust in authorities and undermining the health responses. This means that the response of stakeholders from all sectors needs to be prompt and well-informed.  “To dismantle malicious efforts,” continues Wakefield “animal health experts, scientists, and social scientists must come together with the security community to holistically plan and execute effective strategies.”

Multisectoral collaboration that incorporates a diverse set of expertise is an essential part of countering disinformation and ensuring that animal health remains protected.

Ben Wakefield, Senior Analyst and ELBI (Emerging Leaders in Biosecurity Fellowship) Deputy Director at Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security 

“It is crucial that these entities work together in a coordinated manner,” echoes Katy Carroll, expert at the UN Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institution (UNICRI). “This is due to the fact that, much like with other criminal phenomena, malicious actors usually look to exploit any gaps or vulnerabilities in prevention and response efforts in order to achieve their objectives.” 

Fighting mis- and disinformation around animal health: WOAH’s guidelines 

Within the framework of a strong partnership, the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) and the International Criminal Police Organisation (INTERPOL) recently published a set of guidelines on countering disinformation and misinformation in animal health emergencies.

The guidelines illustrate some key strategies that should be holistically planned and executed to manage disinformation and misinformation for organisations working in animal health emergencies to prepare for, detect and respond to these events. 

The threat of misinformation is nothing new. From propaganda being used to advance political agendas to manipulated messages influencing opinions, information has long been weaponised by groups and individuals alike. Yet, as ecosystems become increasingly interconnected, this threat has taken on new significance. Today’s media fragmentation, coupled with the interconnected nature of modern life and the rise of AI-generated content, makes it harder for consumers to distinguish truthful from biased, misleading or untrustworthy news.  

According to the World Economic Forum Global Risks Report 2024, disinformation is going to be the world’s top risk during the next two years. This is why implementing the right countermeasures – from public awareness to media literacy campaigns – is more urgent than ever before. “With the evolution of technology, social media and internet connectivity that we have in the present day, disinformation campaigns spread far more rapidly and with greater consequences than in previous decades” highlights Wakefield. “As a result, it has never been more important to actively counter and condemn malicious disinformation efforts, whatever their origin.” 

The development of guidelines on misinformation and disinformation in animal health by WOAH and INTERPOL was supported by Global Affairs Canada’s Weapons Threat Reduction Program. 

This article was originally published on the website of The Global Partnership Against the Spread of Weapons and Materials of Mass Destruction (the Global Partnership)

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“Animal health is our health, it’s everyone’s health” is not just a slogan. It is a scientific reality, long acknowledged by professors of medicine as far back as the 17th and 18th century: animal and human health are interconnected. Zoonoses such as rabies or avian influenza have been a long-time concern for human health, as well as economic and social stability.  

By the end of the 20th century, Lyme disease, Ebola, Mad Cow disease, among others, were major issues that triggered international action. Ebola and other zoonotic diseases can be transmitted from humans to animals, such as great apes. This reverse transmission proves that the connection between animal and human health goes both ways. 

The term “One Health” reached the international stage in 2004 at a symposium organised by the Wildlife Conservation Society, following the 2002 SARS outbreak. Together, experts from around the world wrote the Manhattan Principles on One World, One Health, urging global leaders to “recognise the essential link between human, domestic animal and wildlife health and the threat disease poses to people, their food supplies and economies, and the biodiversity essential to maintaining the healthy environments and functioning ecosystems we all require.”

Bridging gaps between animal, human and environmental health

“In the following years, governments and scientists worldwide came to recognise that transdisciplinary collaboration was essential to prevent and control zoonoses, and that they should include physicians and veterinarians alongside wildlife specialists, environmentalists, anthropologists, economists and sociologists, among others”, recalls Dr Monique Éloit, outgoing Director General of WOAH.  

The concept became a true reference for international policy in October 2008 at the event of the H5N1 global outbreak, when six international organisations (the World Bank, WHO, FAO, UNICEF, WOAH and the UN System Influenza Coordination) convened at the International ministerial conference on avian and pandemic influenza at Sharm-el-Sheikh (Egypt). They released a joint “Strategic Framework for Reducing Risks of Infectious Diseases at the Animal-Human-Ecosystems Interface”, with a meaningful title: “Contributing to One World, One Health”, with direct reference to the Manhattan principles.  

From rabies to antimicrobial resistance 

In 2010, FAO, WHO and WOAH published a “Tripartite concept note” known as the Hanoi declaration, where they presented their common vision for “a world capable of preventing, detecting, containing, eliminating, and responding to animal and public health risks attributable to zoonoses and animal diseases with an impact on food security through multi-sectoral cooperation and strong partnerships”. They decided to start by focusing on three areas of work: antimicrobial resistance, avian influenza and rabies.  

In 2017, the updated Tripartite strategy presented enlarged priorities, covering the reinforcement of national health services, the modernisation of early warning and surveillance systems, and the promotion of coordinated research. In 2018, a new Memorandum of Understanding strengthened the partnership on antimicrobial resistance.  

Broadening the scope to environmental drivers  

Although the One Health concept originated in the animal health sector, it had gradually developed as a public health and environment sector policy approach. “The context changed in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, at the Paris Peace Forum in late 2020, where world leaders called for the full integration of the environment sector in One Health, specifically calling for the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to join the Tripartite”, recalls Ing Andersen, UNEP Executive Director, in April 2024.  “We immediately began to work together on key initiatives, and in March 2022, the collaboration was formalised through the establishment of the Quadripartite. This has led to a stronger focus on upstream prevention and to a push to broaden the scope beyond zoonotic disease and antimicrobial resistance to include the environmental drivers of health risks and the health of the environment and ecosystems.” 

The world was slowly coming out of the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic, and still facing monkeypox, Ebola outbreaks, and continued challenges linked to food safety, antimicrobial resistance, ecosystem degradation and climate change. One Health appeared, more than ever, as the main approach for tackling these pressing and complex challenges. The Quadripartite presented a Joint plan of action with six action tracks inclusive of the environment, comprising the strengthening of health systems, controlling zoonotic epidemics and pandemics, food safety, and curbing antimicrobial resistance.  

WOAH takes the lead on cross-sectoral collaboration 

“Moving forward, the objective is to effectively implement One Health activities and foster positive outcomes at the country level”, said WHO Director General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, when asked to reminisce about the Quadripartite collaboration for One Health over the years. “One example of this is our work […] with the G20 Brazil Secretariat to inject fresh perspectives into the One Health approach within political forums, with a focus on the importance of governance and knowledge sharing.” 

In March 2024, WOAH set to chair the Quadripartite rotating Secretariat for the upcoming year, with a detailed agenda focused on implementation of the One Health Joint Plan of Action, monitoring and evaluation of  the Quadripartite work, global advocacy and leveraging investment for One Health, as well as learning and training coordination. The Organisation is also championing action against zoonotic diseases through a holistic approach. 

As it celebrates its 100th anniversary, WOAH reiterates its strong commitment to animal health: more than ever, our health.  

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