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World Organisation for Animal Health (2025). – The State of the World’s Animal Health 2025. Paris, 124pp. https://doi.org/10.20506/woah.3586. Licence: CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO.
Foreword
Animal health is inextricably linked to human health, the stability of ecosystems and the strength of economies. In a world facing increasingly complex global challenges – emerging infectious diseases, climate change, antimicrobial resistance and food insecurity – ensuring the health of animals is crucial. This first iteration of The State of the World’s Animal Health report is a landmark publication released by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) for its 92nd General Session of the World Assembly, which reflects our commitment to evidence-based decision-making and data-driven action. Drawing on WOAH’s comprehensive information systems and the collective expertise of its Members and expert network, this report offers a clear, objective and timely analysis of the global animal health landscape, helping us understand the current situation and the path toward a healthier future. Animal diseases know no borders. Whether affecting livestock, wildlife or aquatic species, their impact can be devastating – threatening livelihoods, public health, food supply chains, international trade and biodiversity. Our ability to prevent, detect and respond to these threats depends on robust surveillance, strong Veterinary Services, and the effective implementation of science-based policies. This report serves as a valuable resource for the veterinary workforce, researchers, policy-makers, and all those invested in the health of animals and the resilience of our societies. It provides critical insights into disease trends, the situation of veterinary capacities worldwide and the effectiveness of interventions. Most importantly, it reinforces the message that proactive investment in animal health is an investment in global health security. In addition to an objective analysis of the current situation, the core focus of this inaugural report is vaccination – one key element of disease prevention and control. Vaccination, alongside other measures, has saved countless lives, prevented economic losses, and reduced the need for antimicrobial treatments, playing a fundamental role in the fight against antimicrobial resistance. From eradicating deadly diseases like rinderpest to controlling threats such as rabies, foot and mouth disease and avian influenza, vaccines remain a powerful tool at our disposal. Yet, access to vaccines remains uneven, and challenges persist in vaccine research, production, distribution and uptake. Strengthening global cooperation and ensuring equitable access to safe, effective vaccines, alongside other control measures must be a priority for all of us. Valuable insights provided by this report will serve the discussion of this year’s General Session Forum: “Veterinary vaccines and vaccination: from science to action – reflections for change”. Looking ahead, we must continue to strengthen our data collection and analysis, foster innovation in disease prevention, and reinforce global veterinary capacities. This report is not just a static reflection of where we are – it is a dynamic call to action. A call for deeper collaboration, greater investment, and a shared commitment to building a future where animal health is protected, global health is secured and sustainable development is realised, and food security is strengthened for generations to come. Because animal health is our health. It’s everyone’s health.
Dr Emmanuelle Soubeyran, Director General, World Organisation for Animal Health
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Source: World Animal Health Organization, https://www.woah.org/en/document/the-state-of-the-worlds-animal-health-2025/
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