The use of antimicrobial drugs has allowed global health to make significant positive strides over the past years. However, widespread misuse of antimicrobials in humans, animals and plants dramatically contributes to the emergence and spread of drug-resistant pathogens. This poses a shared threat to human and animal health, with important repercussions on our interconnected ecosystems. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has started to spark an unprecedented global crisis and addressing this cross-sectorial challenge is more urgent than ever before. 

The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) is committed to protecting animal health and welfare including setting the standards for AMR for the animal health sector. Our standards and guidelines provide a framework for surveillance of use of antimicrobials and antimicrobial resistance, while also promoting the responsible use of antimicrobial products in animals.  

Every year at the General Session, WOAH’s International Standards go through a revision process following specific needs mainly raised by its 183 Members. Covering updates of different nature, the revision reflects the work of the Organisation in tackling complex issues, building consensus among Members and finding up-to-date solutions that are grounded in science and designed to benefit both animal and human health.   

The revision of the standard on AMR (chapter 6.10) during the 91st General Session was driven by WOAH Specialist Commissions with the support of the Working Group on AMR and covers three major aspects: enlarging the scope of standards to include companion animals, incorporating environmental safeguards and updating the recommendations of the WOAH list of antimicrobial agents of veterinary importance.

These changes draw on the growing needs that arise from today’s interconnected world. 

Firstly, the environmental dimensions of AMR tend to be routinely overlooked when considering the use of antimicrobials and AMR in animals. This year’s changes to chapter 6.10 reflect the need for a One Health approach when dealing with AMR. In fact, considering the potential environmental impact of antimicrobial use in animals is of critical importance. Either qualitative or quantitative, an environmental risk assessment should be conducted by the pharmaceutical industry when submitting applications for regulatory approval for veterinary medicinal products containing antimicrobial agents. Additionally, instructions should be provided by manufacturers to ensure the safe disposal of unused and expired veterinary products to avoid environmental contamination.  

In a world with over 1 billion companion animals worldwide, the culture of pet ownership in emerging economies has shifted, allowing for closer interactions between companion animals and humans. There is also growing evidence in literature about bidirectional transfer of resistant-pathogens, including through contact or sharing a contaminated environment. This called for a revision of the WOAH standards to raise the Members’ awareness on the need to extend their activities to promote responsible antimicrobial use in companion animals, and to consider these species also when reporting AMU data to ANIMUSE. Increasing awareness around risks and good practices among pet owners, in close collaboration with the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA), is also vital. 

Last but not least, the Organisation provides specific recommendations on how to use in veterinary medicine of antimicrobial agents that are considered critically important for animal and human health.  As part of this ongoing effort, the WOAH list of antimicrobial agents of veterinary importance  updated to align its recommendations with the latest changes in categorisation criteria of the World Health Organisation (WHO); as such, phosphonic acid derivatives are now considered as critically important antimicrobials, together with colistin, fluoroquinolones and third and fourth generation cephalosporins. 

Together, this year’s changes to the standards on AMR are meant to create a pathway for a responsible antimicrobial use in different animal health contexts and settings.

This is an important step forward in the fight against the deadly threat of AMR. For many years there has been considerable interest in the appropriate use and stewardship of antimicrobials within the small animal community worldwide. Aligning this interest with the global standards and actions of WOAH is a crucial to unlocking the One Health potential.

Stephen Page, Member of the AMR Working Group.

“At the end of this unanimous adoption, I would like to congratulate you on your commitment to One Health. We know that resistance to antimicrobials is a
cross-sectoral challenge… and we are proud that we continue to make progress in the animal health sector by adopting the updates on these standards,” concludes WOAH Director General Dr Monique Eloit. 

The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) provides a framework for its Members to apply for the official recognition of animal health status for six priority diseases on a voluntary basis. This recognition is crucial for supporting national livestock economies as it facilitates regional and international trade of animals and their products. 

In 2024, five countries obtained official recognition for their animal health status: 

These accomplishments represent strong progress in the global fight against highly contagious livestock diseases. The official recognition of these statuses not only acknowledges the effective disease control, prevention and early detection measures implemented by these countries but also enhances their access to regional and international markets. 

In addition to celebrating these new recognitions, it is important to highlight the successful maintenance of the 385 already officially recognised animal health statuses and endorsed control programmes.  

Members can also submit their official control programmes for four diseases for WOAH’s assessment. In 2023, Zambia received the endorsement of its official control programme for dog-mediated rabies, preceded by Namibia and the Philippines in 2022. This achievement is a significant step forward in combating a disease that still causes approximately 59,000 human deaths annually. These countries’ efforts contribute to the ‘Zero by 30’ global goal to eliminate human deaths from dog-mediated rabies by 2030.

The recognition of animal health status by WOAH not only underscores the achievements of individual countries in disease control but also plays a pivotal role in promoting safe trade of animal goods and improving the livelihoods of those dependent on the livestock sector. 

Beyond the ethical obligation to treat animals with dignity, ensuring their welfare also translates into tangible benefits for various stakeholders. By prioritising animal welfare, slaughterhouses not only enhance product value but contribute to food safety and product quality, mitigating the risk of contamination and reducing instances of meat spoilage. This commitment to quality assurance not only safeguards consumer health but also enhances consumer trust and loyalty, ultimately resulting in improved economic returns and sustainability for the industry as a whole. 

Towards safer and more ethical slaughter 

To support the safe and ethical slaughter of animals for human consumption, a revised standard on animal welfare during slaughter (chapter 7.5 of the Terrestrial Code) has been adopted by the World Assembly of Delegates during WOAH’s 91st General Session.  

The standard focuses on ensuring good animal welfare conditions during slaughter operations. Notably, it provides animal-based measures to assess the level of welfare and recommends remedial and corrective actions to be applied, when necessary. Including animal welfare indicators is key to support the implementation of the recommendations included in this chapter. Moreover, through comprehensive training and competency measures, the standard emphasises the critical role of personnel in upholding ethical standards and highlights the importance of training in understanding species-specific behaviours, recognising signs of distress, and implementing preventive actions.

Additionally, the standard delves into the impact of premises design and equipment choice on animal welfare, noting considerations such as thermal comfort, ease of movement, and injury prevention. It provides detailed recommendations for handling free-moving animals during unloading and restraint, stressing the significance of preventive equipment, proper lighting, and minimising distractions to reduce stress in animals and ensure humane treatment. Furthermore, the chapter addresses welfare concerns related to stunning, promoting effective methods, along with the monitoring of stunning effectiveness to uphold ethical standards throughout the slaughter process. 

The significance of adopting international standards on animal welfare during slaughter cannot be overstated. It underscores a collective responsibility to ensure ethical treatment throughout the slaughter process, acknowledging that the welfare of animals is not just a moral imperative but a shared obligation. By prioritising animal welfare, stakeholders not only uphold ethical standards but also contribute to the wellbeing of workers and the assurance of product quality.

Furthermore, it is essential to adopt these standards to support Members who do not yet have a regulatory framework in place in this area. Providing a unified and robust set of guidelines helps ensure that all Members, regardless of their current regulatory status, can achieve a high standard of animal welfare. Therefore, it is imperative for all involved parties to protect animal welfare, recognising that doing so benefits not only the animals themselves but also the workers who care for them and the consumers who rely on safe and ethically produced products. 

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Vector-borne diseases (VBDs) are emerging as a significant threat to both human and animal health, with recent years seeing a troubling increase in their prevalence and spread. The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) has highlighted this growing concern in their latest report “Animal Health Situation Worldwide” covering 2023 and early 2024, presented during its 91st General Session. This analysis brings some additional elements related to the intricate relationship between climate change and the dynamics of VBDs, underscoring the urgent need for effective surveillance and control measures.

Climate change’s impact on
vector-borne diseases (VBDs)

VBDs, which include diseases transmitted by vectors such as mosquitoes, ticks, and flies, thrive in certain environmental conditions. The climatic conditions of tropical regions make them particularly vulnerable to these diseases. However, climate change is reshaping this landscape, altering vector density, activity periods, and geographical distribution. These changes facilitate the expansion of VBDs into new areas, posing significant risks to previously unaffected regions. 

WOAH’s report on the “Animal Health Situation Worldwide” underscores the complexity of this issue, noting that both biological and non-biological pathways influence VBD transmission. There is clear evidence that climate change is a critical driver in the spread of these diseases. Observational data corroborate this, showing an increasing trend in the maximum latitudes at which VBDs are reported, closely mirroring global temperature anomalies.

Revealing emerging trends 

Data reported through the early warning system of the World Animal Health Information System (WAHIS), from 2023 and early 2024 (as of 11 March 2024), reveal that VBDs were responsible for a total of 2,422 outbreaks across 28 countries and territories, in the context of exceptional epidemiological events. These events mainly include first occurrences, recurrences and new strains. The Americas notably experienced a large outbreak of western equine encephalomyelitis, with 1,461 outbreaks, while Europe reported 697 outbreaks of various VBDs. 

Of the 90 diseases of terrestrial animals currently listed by WOAH, almost a third are vector-borne (entirely or for which vectors play an important role), some of which have shown a significant evolution in 2023 and early 2024.

Infection with West Nile fever virus, bluetongue virus, lumpy skin disease virus and western equine encephalomyelitis virus were the most frequently reported in 2023 and early 2024, in the context of exceptional events. Infection with lumpy skin disease virus, for which exceptional events were predominant in Asia, accounted for 144 outbreaks, making it the most reported VBD outside Europe and the Americas through early warning. Notably, 99% of these VBD outbreaks in 2023 and early 2024 were detected in temperate regions, indicating a worrying shift in their geographical distribution. 

Monitoring the expansion of VBDs 

These challenges are not new and date back several years. In response, WOAH had launched in 2022 the PROVNA project, aimed at enhancing VBD surveillance in North Africa. This initiative seeks to define ‘ecoregions’ within the study area, identify vulnerable zones, and develop a prototype application to predict climatic and environmental changes.  

A notable case study presented in the report is the recent spread of infection with epizootic haemorrhagic disease (EHD) virus. Traditionally confined to regions like North America and parts of Asia, EHD has expanded its range significantly since 2006, with new reports from countries around the Mediterranean and into Europe. This spread exemplifies the broader trend of VBD expansion driven by climate and environmental changes. 

Taking action for global health 

WOAH’s report paints a vivid picture of the escalating threat posed by vector-borne diseases in the context of climate change. As it stands at its centenary, WOAH reiterates the need for robust surveillance systems, international collaboration, and adaptive strategies to manage this growing challenge. As climate change continues to influence the spread and impact of VBDs, the global community must respond with urgency and innovation to safeguard both human and animal health. Because animal health is our health. It’s everyone’s health. 

For more detailed insights, explore the full report.

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