The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) warns Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and zoonotic diseases threaten global food security, human health, and economic stability by 2050 if urgent measures are not taken as highlighted in State of the World’s Animal Health Report.
About State of the World’s Animal Health Report
- The World’s Animal Health Report is a newly launched annual global assessment that presents a comprehensive overview of the state of animal health worldwide.
- Published By: World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH)
- Objective:
- To highlight emerging animal health trends, risks, and threats, including zoonotic diseases.
- To promote global collaboration for better surveillance, preparedness, and response.
- To link animal health with public health and environmental sustainability, reflecting the One Health approach.
- Key Focus Areas:
- Migration of animal diseases into new regions
- Zoonotic potential of diseases
- Vaccine accessibility and challenges
- Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and responsible antibiotic use
- Global efforts toward eradication and prevention
- Significance: The report plays a crucial role in policy-making, helping governments and stakeholders to address animal and public health risks in a coordinated, evidence-based manner.
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Key Findings of the State of the World’s Animal Health Report (2025)
- AMR Threat: By 2050, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) could threaten food security for 2 billion people and cause a global economic loss of $100 trillion if not urgently addressed.
- Zoonotic Surge: Nearly 47% of animal diseases reported between 2005 and 2023 were zoonotic, capable of spreading from animals to humans, raising the risk of future pandemics.
- Aquaculture Risks: 15.8% of antimicrobials used in aquaculture were fluoroquinolones, a class critical for human medicine, increasing concerns about resistance in aquatic environments.
- Growth Promoters: Around 20% of countries reported using antimicrobials for growth promotion in animals, with 7% using high-priority drugs like colistin and enrofloxacin.
About WOAH (World Organisation for Animal Health)
- Introduction: WOAH is the global authority on animal health, dedicated to monitoring, controlling, and reporting animal diseases worldwide.
- Establishment: It was founded in 1924 as the Office International des Epizooties (OIE) in response to a rinderpest outbreak; it adopted the name WOAH in 2003.
- Members: WOAH has 183 member countries, including India, and functions as an intergovernmental organization.
- Focus: It promotes transparent dissemination of animal disease data and works to improve animal health for a safer, healthier, and sustainable world.
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- Declining Usage: Global antibiotic use in animals fell by 5% between 2020 and 2022, with Europe (23%) and Africa (20%) seeing the largest reductions.
- Disease Spread: Diseases like ASF, avian influenza, and FMD are spreading to new regions due to climate change, global trade, and wildlife interactions.Economic Impact: Uncontrolled disease outbreaks and AMR threaten agricultural livelihoods, trade, and food supply chains, with massive implications for public health and economies.
- Vaccination Push: Preventive measures, especially animal vaccination, are essential to reducing antibiotic dependence and limiting zoonotic and transboundary disease spread.
About Zoonotic Diseases
- Zoonotic diseases are infectious diseases caused by bacteria, viruses, or parasites that spread between animals and humans. They account for nearly 47% of all animal diseases reported to WOAH.
- Drivers of Rising Zoonotic Diseases
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- Climate change is altering ecosystems, enabling the spread of pathogens into new geographic regions and species.
- Global trade and movement of animals and animal products increase disease transmission.
- Wildlife-domestic-human interface is expanding, intensifying spillover risk.
- Weak veterinary infrastructure and low vaccine access in low-income regions exacerbate vulnerability.
Examples of Zoonotic Disease
| Disease |
Affected Species |
Cause of Disease |
| Avian Influenza (HPAI) |
Birds, Mammals (cats, dogs) |
Virus (Influenza A virus) |
| African Swine Fever (ASF) |
Pigs, Wild Boars |
Virus (Asfarviridae family) |
| Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) |
Cloven-hoofed animals |
Virus (Aphthovirus genus) |
| Peste des Petits Ruminants |
Sheep, Goats |
Virus (Morbillivirus genus) |
| Lumpy Skin Disease |
Cattle |
Virus (Capripoxvirus genus) |
| Bluetongue Virus |
Sheep, Cattle, Goats |
Virus (Orbivirus genus) |
| New World Screwworm |
Livestock |
Parasitic Fly (Cochliomyia hominivorax larvae) |
What is Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)?
- AMR occurs when pathogens develop resistance to antimicrobial drugs, including antibiotics, rendering treatments ineffective.
- AMR is driven by the overuse and misuse of antimicrobials in human and animal health sectors.
- WOAH has termed AMR as one of the gravest threats to global health and food security.
Reasons for the Spread of AMR
- Indiscriminate use of antibiotics in livestock, aquaculture, and agriculture.
- Use of antibiotics as growth promoters, 20% of WOAH members still follow this practice.
- Use of high-priority human antibiotics like colistin and enrofloxacin in animals.
- Poor hygiene, inadequate vaccination coverage, and weak biosecurity measures.
Measures Taken to Address AMR
Global Initiatives
- WOAH Guidelines discourage use of antimicrobials for growth promotion and promote veterinary oversight.
- The Global Action Plan on AMR by WHO, FAO, and WOAH calls for responsible antimicrobial use in all sectors.
- EU Regulations have led to a 23% reduction in antibiotic use in Europe between 2020 and 2022.
Indian Initiatives
- National Action Plan on AMR (2017-2021) focuses on awareness, surveillance, infection prevention, and R&D.
- FSSAI guidelines regulate antibiotic residues in animal-origin food products.
- National Animal Disease Control Programme (NADCP) aims to control key zoonotic diseases via vaccination.
Conclusion
The WOAH’s inaugural report underlines that both AMR and zoonotic diseases are interlinked and escalating challenges to human and animal health. While some progress has been made, urgent global cooperation, equitable vaccine access, and strict antimicrobial governance are critical to avert future crises.
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