The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) is monitoring reports of hantavirus cases in collaboration with WHO and other partners to support a coordinated and evidence-based response, and commends WHO for its active efforts in leading the public health response to this incident. 

Hantavirus is a zoonotic disease, meaning it originates in animals — primarily rodents — before crossing into human populations. Effective rodent management grounded in integrated ecological methods remains the primary measure to reduce the risk of human infection, alongside public health awareness and risk communication.

The current situation serves as an important reminder of the value of sustained surveillance and early detection, particularly at the animal–human–environment interface. Strengthening our ability to detect and monitor diseases in animal populations is a fundamental component of prevention.

As highlighted in the 2026 State of the World’s Animal Health report to be published on 13 May 2026, around 75% of emerging infectious diseases in humans originate in animals. Systems that support early detection and information sharing across sectors remain among the most effective tools to mitigate risks to human, animal, and environmental health. While speculation and fear can be driven by zoonotic risks, WOAH underlines the importance of clear science and evidence as a guiding principle when releasing and consuming information. 

While this situation requires continued vigilance and international collaboration, current assessments by WHO indicate that the risk to the general public remains low.

WOAH encourages its 183 Members to continue strengthening these efforts and to invest in integrated, One Health approach that strengthen collaboration across sectors, at the animal–human-environment interface to support early detection and enable coordinated action to address zoonotic disease risks. 

Because animal health is our health. It is everyone’s health.

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) continues to pose a serious and evolving threat to animal health, food security, livelihoods, and international trade. FMD (serotype SAT 1) has spread beyond its historical African range, causing outbreaks in countries previously free, including those in Southern Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. The dynamic nature of this epidemiological situation underscores the need for sustained global vigilance and adapted actions.

Transparent, timely and accurate reporting of FMD outbreaks is essential to safeguarding global animal health. Early notification through WOAH systems enables rapid risk assessment and coordinated responses, strengthens trust among trading partners, and allows timely mobilisation of technical support. Equally important are strong early warning and surveillance systems, continuous risk monitoring, and science-based, risk-based approaches that anticipate emerging threats before they escalate. 

WOAH reaffirms its commitment to supporting Members in strengthening preparedness, surveillance, and control, and to facilitating coordination with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and other partners through the GF-TADs. Maintaining vigilance and transparency is a shared responsibility—critical to reducing the impact of FMD and protecting animal health, livelihoods, and food security worldwide.

Call to action to WOAH Members  

WOAH reminds Members of their commitment and obligation to ensure timely and transparent notification of confirmed FMD cases through the World Animal Health Information System (WAHIS), including serotype and strain information where available. 

In light of the evolving epidemiological situation associated with FMD virus serotype SAT 1, WOAH recommends Members to: 

The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) reiterates with renewed sense of urgency that while transporting animals—by land, sea, or air—can be a key for global trade, food production, research, and others, it is critical to ensure  the rigorous implementation of welfare standards throughout their transport process to safeguard animal health and well-being.

Long-distance transport can represent  serious risks due to—missing or incomplete health certificates, unclear customs rules, commercial disagreements, and unexpected problems. These issues must be carefully planned for and managed from the start to protect animal welfare.

Animal welfare during transport is essential. It keeps animals healthy and safe. Everyone involved—animal owners, operators, transporters, government agencies, and Veterinary Services—share this responsibility. WOAH is updating its standards to keep up with today’s complex transport challenges.

To make sure animals are well cared for at every step—starting with certification—these points are important:

Recent events highlight the scale and persistence of this threat. The European Food Safety Authority reported exceptionally high HPAI activity in wild birds during Europe’s 2025 autumn migration, with detections quadrupling those reported in 2024 and representing the highest levels observed since 2016. Among the affected species were common cranes (Grus grus), with more than 20,000 deaths recorded in Germany alone. In North America, the virus remains widespread in wild birds and is increasingly detected in a wide range of mammalian species. In the subantarctic islands of South Georgia, new infections are being reported in southern elephant seals (Mirounga leonina), compounding losses of nearly 50% of breeding females since 2023. Similarly, in the neighbouring Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), the world’s two largest colonies of black-browed albatrosses (Thalassarche melanophris) experienced recurrent HPAI outbreaks and a marked decline in the number of breeding birds in 2024 and again in 2025. 

These mortality events have far-reaching ecological consequences. Population declines, reproductive failure, and disrupted species interactions can undermine ecosystem stability and species conservation, with potential generational impacts. Continued spillover into mammals also elevates One Health concerns, with potential implications for companion animals, livestock production and human health. 

Reducing further impacts and supporting recovery requires expanded and coordinated wildlife surveillance, rapid genomic characterization of viruses, improved data sharing, integration of broader conservation actions, and addressing other conservation threats such as habitat loss, overfishing, invasive species, pollution, and climate change. 

Innovative approaches such as Nature-based solutions that strengthen ecological resilience and maintain the natural barriers that limit pathogen spillover should be actively explored. Examples of these solutions include supporting natural scavenger populations to enhance biological removal of infected carcasses, restoring and protecting wetlands and coastal habitats to reduce crowding of migratory birds, maintaining heterogeneous freshwater–coastal landscapes that disperse foraging and roosting densities, and minimizing artificial congregation points that can serve as viral hot spots. 

HPAI has become a global conservation and One Health challenge, demanding urgent and sustained cross-sector collaboration to limit ongoing ecological damage. This scale of biodiversity loss will result in profound and unpredictable ecological disruption, including loss of ecosystem services and the breakdown of food-web dynamics. 

Veterinary authorities and wildlife health professionals are instrumental in establishing strategies and coordinating control plans for HPAI that emphasise biosecurity and biosurveillance involving both wild and domestic animals and timely sharing of up to date information on HPAI events.  

The ongoing threat of high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) demands urgent global attention as it transcends its avian origins to affect domestic and wild mammals with increasing frequency. Notably, its ongoing circulation in dairy cattle in the United States of America (USA) is raising concerns within the international community. 

While the virus primarily affects domestic and wild birds, it is increasingly being reported in both terrestrial and aquatic mammals. As of September 2025, around 40 species of mammals have been infected with HPAI. These cases further highlight the virus’s ability to cross species barriers and pose a threat to wildlife, domestic animals, and public health.  

The ongoing detections of HPAI in dairy cattle in the USA, spark significant international concern. Infected cattle are either asymptomatic or with mild illness showing non-specific clinical signs such as decreased milk production, thicker-colostrum‐like milk, reduced appetite, lethargy, fever and dehydration. The continued detection of H5N1 in cattle increases the risk of H5N1 viruses becoming better adapted to mammals, potentially spilling over to other livestock, humans, and regions.  

Investigations so far have identified raw milk from infected cows as a high-risk material. There is evidence of horizontal virus transmission from infected lactating cows to other animals including cows, cats and poultry.  Thus, only milk produced by non-infected cows and that has been pasteurised or has followed a similar virus inactivation process should be commercialised.  

No specific adaptation of the virus to either humans or mammals has been identified. Several studies are being carried out to further explore the pathogenesis and transmission routes of these viruses, including between cattle and from cattle to other animals.  

In collaboration with its Reference Centres, FAO and WHO,  our networks of experts and Members, the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) is closely monitoring
the situation to assess the risks to animals. The risk to humans is currently considered low for the general public and is considered low to moderate, for those exposed to infected birds, animals or contaminated environment. Timely and transparent notification is crucial to maintain a good understanding of the disease situation and prevent any type of misinformation or disinformation. 

In light of the impact on animal and public health, the Scientific Commission for Animal Diseases considered at its February 2025 meeting that ‘infection of bovines (Bos taurus) with influenza A viruses high pathogenicity’ meets the Terrestrial Code glossary definition for ‘emerging disease’. Accordingly, Members are required to notify the occurrence of HPAI in cattle to the World Animal Health Information System (WAHIS) in accordance with the WOAH Terrestrial Code Article 1.1.4.

WOAH also reminds its 183 Members that, based on the information currently available, restrictions to the international trade of healthy cattle and their products are only recommended if justified by an import risk analysis conducted according to the WOAH Terrestrial Animal Health Code Chapter 2.1.  

Finally, WOAH invites Members to consult OFFLU Guidelines for High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza Virus Risk Mitigation in Cattle. These guidelines  provide practical, evidence-based measures to support Members in their efforts to  mitigate the risk of HPAI virus spread in cattle. It outlines key transmission pathways and proposes proportionate intervention strategies based on the latest scientific evidence.

WOAH calls on its Members to: 

• Increase avian influenza surveillance in domestic and wild birds.  
• Enhance surveillance for early detection in cattle population in countries where HPAI is known to be circulating.  
• Include HPAI as a differential diagnosis in non-avian species, including cattle and other livestock populations, with high risk of exposure to HPAI viruses, in particular:  
  • Animals showing clinical signs compatible with avian influenza; 
  • Sick or dead domestic animals near HPAI affected premises;  and 
  • Suspected cases, including apparently healthy animals, that have been exposed to or epidemiologically linked to suspected or confirmed HPAI in birds or cattle (i.e. situated in HPAI high-risk areas or in areas where avian influenza has been confirmed). 
• Notify cases of HPAI in all animal species, including cattle or other unusual hosts, to WOAH through its World Animal Health Information System (WAHIS). Genetic sequences of avian influenza viruses should be shared in publicly available databases. 
• Consider OFFLU ‘Guidelines for High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza Virus Risk Mitigation in Cattle’ .
• Implement preventive and early response measures to break the HPAI transmission cycle among animals. These include applying movement restrictions of infected livestock holdings until infection has stopped and strict biosecurity measures in all holdings, in particular in milking parlours.
• Employ good production and hygiene practices when handling animal products. Raw milk or raw milk products from HPAI infected or exposed cows should not be used for animal feed or for human consumption.  
• Protect humans in close contact with or handling sick cattle or other sick livestock and their products. Exposed humans should always take precautionary measures to avoid getting infected and minimise the risk to mechanically carrying the virus to livestock or companion animals. This should include wearing personal protective equipment, avoiding visiting other livestock premises after the exposure and implementing standard food safety measures when handling animal products from exposed livestock.
• Avoid implementing unjustified trade restrictions. Import risk management measures should be scientifically justified and in line with the WOAH International Standards.

Technical guidelines for the adaptation of diagnostic tests for Influenza A in animals including cattle and other species as well as different types of samples such as milk and nasal swabs are available in the OFFLU website and will be regularly updated.  

WOAH is fully committed to supporting its Members to mitigate the risks associated with avian influenza. We will continue to engage with our networks of experts, OFFLU, as well as public and private partners, notably through the One Health Quadripartite and the Global Framework for Transboundary Animal Diseases (GF-TADs) to provide technical updates as more information becomes available.  

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16 October 2025

The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) acknowledges the recent increase in human and animal cases of Rift Valley fever (RVF) in Senegal and Mauritania, which has resulted in several human deaths. These outbreaks appear to be linked to heavy rainfall and flooding in preceding months which  have created favourable conditions for disease transmission. As RFV is a transboundary animal disease, regional cooperation will be essential to assess and manage the risk posed by these outbreaks.

RVF is a vector-borne viral zoonosis that primarily affects livestock such as buffalo, camels, cattle, goats, and sheep, but can also infect humans and wildlife. The disease can cause severe illness in both animals and people and lead to significant economic losses due to livestock deaths and abortions. Human infections typically occur when the disease is widespread among animals, usually through direct or indirect contact with infected animal tissues.

Veterinary Services in affected countries are actively assessing the extent of the outbreaks and are implementing measures to limit their spread and reduce their impact. Close cooperation with public health authorities is  essential to ensure early detection, provide treatment, and where possible, prevent further human infections.

RVF epidemics occur periodically and are strongly influenced by climatic and environmental factors —  such as rainfall and flooding — which affect mosquito populations, and the immunity of susceptible animal species.

Coordinating a global response

Combining satellite and on-the-ground data is an important approach to improve early warning systems and to prepare for  RVF outbreaks. Early warning must be linked to action and communicated across all relevant sectors.

In 2022, WOAH, in partnership with its Collaborating Centre for Epidemiology, Modelling and Surveillance (IZS-Teramo, Italy), launched PROVNA, an initiative that uses risk-based surveillance to predict  mosquito-borne disease outbreaks like RVF in North Africa through an eco-regionalisation approach.

Early warning is vital because the most effective approach to preventing RVF in humans and animals is to vaccinate at-risk animals before outbreaks occur.

WOAH is working closely with its Regional Representation for Africa, national Delegates in Mauritania and Senegal, its Collaborating Centres, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) to monitor the situation. WOAH stands ready to provide additional support as needed.

RVF is a priority disease of the Global Framework for the Progressive Control of Transboundary Animal Diseases (GF-TADs) platform in Africa.

• Be prepared:
  • Review and update emergency preparedness plans to ensure rapid response capacity.
  • Ensure sufficient resources are available for implementation of plans.

More technical information on Rift Valley fever and its control measures is available on the WOAH, FAO and WHO websites.

Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) is a devastating disease that causes significant economic and animal losses. With morbidity and mortality rates reaching up to 100% in naïve populations, this highly contagious viral disease poses a severe threat to sheep, goats and certain species of wild ruminants.

Beyond its animal health impacts, economic losses related to PPR total up to USD 2.1 billion each year. Since its first identification in 1942, PPR has spread to more than 70 countries across Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Eastern Europe, becoming entrenched in many regions and posing a serious threat to livelihoods and fragile economies. The disease undermines livelihoods, food security and nutrition, particularly in regions where more than 330 million people, primarily smallholder farmers and subsistence communities, depend on small ruminants.  

More needs to be done to reach eradication goals 

The successful eradication of rinderpest in 2011, which highlighted the power of collaboration and concerted effort in safeguarding animal health and human livelihood, prompted the global veterinary community to elect PPR as the next priority disease for eradication alongside dog-mediated rabies. And, in 2015, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) launched the PPR Global Control and Eradication Strategy (PPR GCES), with the ambitious goal of eradicating the disease by 2030.  

In the 10 years since the PPR GCES was launched, considerable progress has been made. Initiatives include the implementation of the Sahel Regional Project Supporting Pastoralism (PRAPS), several EU supporting PPR projects and US Defence Treat Reduction Agency (DTRA) projects among other, the launch of the Pan-African Programme for the Eradication of PPR and Control of Other Priority Small Ruminant Diseases. However, there is still much to be done.  

The continued spread of PPR into new regions and its entrenchment in endemic areas, exacerbated by limited access to veterinary services for marginalised communities, remain massive challenges to eliminating the disease. Overcoming these barriers is essential to achieving PPR eradication, safeguarding livelihoods, and strengthening food security for some of the world’s most vulnerable populations. A sustained, coordinated global effort remains imperative to ensure the success of the PPR GCES and to build resilience for communities reliant on small ruminants. 

A commitment to global collaboration

Small ruminants are often the most critical — and sometimes the only — asset that some vulnerable populations rely on for survival. The eradication of PPR would unlock economic opportunities in both national and international trade, contributing to growth and stability. Sheep and goats play a critical role in the lives of farmers in many settings, particularly women and youth, who are often under-represented in public and decision-making spaces.  

Since the launch of the PPR GCES, it has been become clear that outbreaks can be managed and herd immunity progressively built through the establishment of national funding mechanisms for major animal disease prevention activities, enactment of favourable policies and regulations, investment in PPR vaccine production and diagnostics, awareness raising and training in prevention and control technologies.  

To succeed, eradication efforts must follow a well-designed, coordinated strategy, supported by strong infrastructure as well as investment in the veterinary workforce. These efforts must be prioritised and recognised as an international public good through political commitment as well as resource mobilisation. FAO and WOAH urge Members to remain committed to investing in transversal approaches that strengthen veterinary services and countries’ capacities to control and eradicate PPR, as well as other animal diseases. Together, we can protect livestock industries and safeguard the livelihoods of those who depend on them.     

The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) acknowledges the continuous spread of New World screwworm (NWS) (Cochliomyia hominivorax) in the Americas. Since its resurgence in Central America, first notified by Panama in June 2023, the disease has now been reported in Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Mexico, with more than 20, 000 new outbreaks reported in the World Animal Health Information System (WAHIS). 

The prevention and control of this parasitic zoonotic disease that poses a serious threat to animals, humans, and the environment, is challenging and requires long-term coordinated efforts by affected and at-risk countries. Recognising this need, and acknowledging the ongoing work undertaken by countries and regional partners, the Global Framework for Progressive Control of Transboundary Animal Diseases
(GF-TADs) mechanism has been mobilised in the Americas through a standing group of experts on screwworm to facilitate experience and knowledge sharing between experts, Veterinary Services, other national authorities, and international organisations, and formulate tailored recommendations for prevention and control. Regional partners of GF-TADs are working actively to strengthen the capacities of our Members both affected and at risk, ensuring that Veterinary Services are equipped to detect, contain, and respond swiftly and effectively to outbreaks. 

The control of the disease requires strict, thorough clinical inspection of animals, and active wound treatment. Promotion, through active communication, of the importance of good zootechnical practices to be adopted and maintained by animal owners and handlers is critical, as well as veterinary certification and quarantine of animals to be moved across countries or between different regions in a country, especially from affected areas. Preventive measures include the spraying or dipping of susceptible animals with insectices andselected in accordance with national regulations.   

There are currently no vaccines or biological products available for NWS control. Eradication programmes based on the use of sterilised male flies through the sterile insect technique (SIT), are used and have been successful in the past.   

The spread of NWS, and its impact in the animals, both domestic and wild, and humans, and the significant environmental considerations, underscores the importance of adopting a One Health approach at national level, ensuring collaboration between public health and Veterinary Services, as well as environment and border control authorities. Effective collaboration allows competent authorities to detect the introduction of disease through illegal movements of animals and to ensure that affected individuals benefit from proper medical care. The zoonotic implications are considerable as humans, especially young, elderly or infirm, can be infested, with severe and sometimes fatal consequences. Prompt, accurate, and comprehensive notification of detections of this listed disease to WOAH supports decision-making by affected and at-risk Members. 

The disease can also affect the full range of warm-blooded wildlife. Recent including birds (notification in bird of prey in Mexico (29 April 2025) which illustrates the need to consider the disease when designing surveillance programmes for terrestrial animals, domestic and wild. 

WOAH reminds Members of the relevant provisions of the Animal Health Terrestrial Code, Chapter 8.13 and of the Terrestrial Manual, Chapter 3.1.14, which provide guidance to countries developing their import requirement and build their surveillance and prevention and control programmes. WOAH Reference Laboratory for NWS at COPEG (Panama), can provide further expert assistance. 
 
WOAH urges all stakeholders – especially those in animal health, agriculture, environment and public health sectors – to strengthen surveillance and diagnostic capacities, ensure transparent and timely disease reporting via WAHIS and promote cross-sectoral and cross-border collaboration.  

Together, through a One Health lens, we can prevent further spread and mitigate the profound animal, human, and economic impacts of New World screwworm. 

The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) acknowledges the rapid official notifications of two outbreaks of Lumpy skin disease (LSD) in Italy and France, as well as the details provided through their follow up reports. This marks the first-ever occurrence of the disease in these countries, highlighting the urgent need for heightened surveillance and coordinated response. Both countries have reported that they are already implementing measures to contain the disease in line with international standards. 

From 2016 to 2024, WOAH with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the European Union, supported the coordination of a standing group of expert for LSD in South-East Europe until the disease was successfully eradicated, thanks to effective vaccination and regional coordination. WOAH also continues to monitor the epidemiological situation in Africa, where the disease is endemic, as well as in the Middle East and Asia. 

LSD is a highly contagious vector-borne viral disease that primarily affects cattle, water buffaloes and certain wild ruminants. Beyond its impact on animal health and welfare, LSD can cause significant economic losses for farmers due to reduced milk production, weight loss and reproductive impairment. The disease is not zoonotic and therefore does not pose a threat to human health neither by direct contact with infected animals nor through the consumption of animal products from infected animals such as milk or meat. 

The virus is transmitted via insects such as biting flies and mosquitoes. The movement of infected animals to free areas is mostly responsible for long-distance spread. As highlighted in the recent State of the World’s Animal Health report, early detection and rapid response, including movement control and vaccination with high quality vaccines remain critical to controlling LSD outbreaks. Cross-border and cross-disciplinary collaboration is essential for effective prevention and control. 

WOAH is actively monitoring and countering misinformation, which can undermine response efforts and cause unnecessary harm. Most notably, false claims around vaccines can erode public trust in disease control measures and distract from their benefits. Misinformation around the safety of milk for human consumption can equally promote consumer doubts, impacting market stability.  

WOAH urges all stakeholders – especially those in animal health and agriculture – to rely on trusted, science-based information. Our FAQs and technical resources are designed to clarify common doubts and provide guidance tailored to veterinarians, farmers and decision-makers. 

To enhance coordination, WOAH remains in close contact with its Reference laboratory network and Members sharing scientific advice and knowledge through webinars and other modes of exchanges to review ongoing measures and plan next steps. 

Stay informed  

• Read our FAQs on LSD  

• Learn more about LSD on WOAH’s disease webpage 

• Track disease evolution via WAHIS 

• Read a success story on LSD on our State of the World’s Animal Health report. 

The continuing spread of African swine fever (ASF) is a matter of concern for the pig industry on a global scale, as no region is left unaffected. For many years, the lack of a vaccine or effective treatment has made the control of the disease very challenging. The research community has been working to develop an effective vaccine. The announcements of modified live vaccines being approved or tested in some countries have raised hopes for the widely availability of new effective tools to contain the current ASF epidemic. Many countries are interested in using these vaccines as a complementary tool to prevent and control the risk of ASF spread on their territories. 

First adopted ASF vaccine standards

The first standards for the production of safe and effective vaccines against ASF has been adopted in May 2025 by the World Assembly of WOAH Delegates. WOAH urges vaccine manufacturers and Members to consider these standards when developing and evaluating ASF vaccine candidates for regulatory approval.  

WOAH stresses the importance of using only high-quality ASF vaccines that comply with the standards described in the Terrestrial Manual, have proven efficacy and safety, and have been subject to regulatory evaluation and approval by the National Regulatory Authority.

ASF vaccination should not be used as a stand-alone disease control intervention

Regardless of vaccine efficacy, vaccination programmes should be implemented as part of a comprehensive prevention and control strategy, which should include other important control measures such as surveillance for early detection, strict biosecurity, import measures and movement controls. 

Vaccination, if used, should be conducted under a well-designed vaccination programme that takes into account, among other factors, the local epidemiology of the disease, the expected objectives of vaccination and the adequacy and sustainability of the relevant technical, financial and human resources. They should always include post-vaccination surveillance and monitoring as well as an exit strategy for the cessation of vaccination, as mentioned in WOAH international standards on vaccination. 

The risks of using poor quality or non-compliant vaccines

The use of non-compliant and poor-quality vaccines may not confer any protection against ASF and risks spreading vaccine viruses that could result in acute or chronic disease. Additionally, these vaccine viruses could also recombine with field strains to generate novel strains that could evade detection and result in acute, chronic and persistent ASF infections. 

WOAH encourages Members to actively report incidents of substandard vaccines that do not follow the quality specifications post-regulatory approval to WOAH following the 6th recommendation of Resolution N. 29 adopted in May 2025 by the World Assembly of WOAH Delegates. These can be reported through the WOAH global alert system for substandard and falsified veterinary products (pilot VSAFE) to strengthen vaccine quality oversight and support the removal of these vaccines from circulation.