Infectious animal diseases migrating to new species, about half raise threat to humans — Report
Infectious animal diseases are affecting new areas and species, with half (47 per cent) having zoonotic -- or animal-to-human – potential
Published on May 24, 2025
By IANS
- NEW DELHI — 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.
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- 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.
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- 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.
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- 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.
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- “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.
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- 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.
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- 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.
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- 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.
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- “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.
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- The report also emphasised the importance of disease
prevention for reducing the need for antibiotic treatment and limiting the
development of drug-resistant diseases.
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