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The State of the World’s Animal Health
An inaugural global overview of animal health in a changing world. Published by The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), the State of the World’s Animal Health provides a clear, evidence-based overview of the global animal health landscape. Drawing on WOAH’s robust data systems and the collective expertise of its Members and scientific network, the report delivers timely, objective analysis to inform action and guide progress toward a healthier, more resilient future for animals and people alike.
Vaccination — a pivotal opportunity for the future of animal health
The State of the World’s Animal Health Report 2025 sets out to highlight the positive impact of vaccination on a selection of key important animal diseases and challenges – including avian influenza, brucellosis, foot-and-mouth disease, lumpy skin disease, rabies, peste des petite ruminants, and antimicrobial resistance.
The informative report features case studies from across the globe and celebrates success stories from WOAH Members while recognising their resilience in managing ongoing challenges.
Harnessing data for a healthier future
The report provides a data-driven overview of global animal health, using WOAH’s core data systems to highlight trends, challenges and opportunities, promoting transparency and coordinated action.
Between 1 January 2024 and April 2025:
6, 807 outbreaks of African swine fever
222, 174 animal losses in domestic pigs
3, 513 outbreaks of high pathogenicity avian influenza
82.1 million animal losses in poultry
3, 626 outbreaks of bluetongue disease
The disease is spreading in new areas
8, 363 outbreaks of new world screwworm
The disease is reoccurring where it had been eradicated
Explore the report – chapter summaries
By 2050, AMR is projected to jeopardise the food security of two billion people and result in cumulative global GPD losses up to US$ 5.2 trillion if urgent action is not taken.
Many antibiotics are used, in frequency and amount, to treat animal diseases that are preventable by vaccination and/or good husbandry practices. By preventing infections before they occur, vaccines not only protect human and animal health but also serve as one of the most effective tools in slowing the rise of drug-resistant bacteria.
CASE STUDY
Zimbabwe: Investing in alternatives to antibiotics
Zimbabwe’s Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) reported that 65% of cattle mortality is linked to theileriosis, a parasitic disease caused by the blood parasite Theileria and transmitted by ticks, in addition to other tickborne diseases. With support from WOAH, Zimbabwe has pioneered the development of an alternative to antibiotics: the theileriosis vaccine. This successful project was one of 10 launched globally by the Antimicrobial Resistance Multi-Partner Trust Fund (AMR MPTF) to apply best practices and scale up joint action in the fight against AMR.
What data says
Antimicrobial use has decrease globally by 5%, according to the latest figures from WOAH’s annual Antimicrobial Use Report. This positive trend is reflected at regional level, but a bigger effort is needed to improve monitoring and reporting on this crucial issue.
How vaccination can be a tool to curb avian influenza
Over the last twenty years, over 633 million birds have been lost due to infection or culling efforts aimed at controlling the spread of the virus. The economic fallout has been severe, with major disruptions in international trade, affecting local poultry industries, and poultry products consumers.
For years, strict biosecurity and active surveillance have been the primary tools in preventing and containing avian influenza outbreaks. These remain essential, but the relentless spread of the virus, despite aggressive containment efforts, demonstrates that more must be done. Vaccination has emerged as a potential tool to complement existing measures, reducing both the spread and severity of infections.
CASE STUDY
France: Safeguarding the poultry industry with vaccination
In October 2023, France became the first European Union (EU) country to implement a nationwide vaccination campaign against HPAI in ducks due to their key role in disease transmission.
The protective effect of vaccination was not only limited to duck farms but also benefited the entire poultry industry. The Toulouse Veterinary School conducted a model estimating up to 700 outbreaks in France that year with the pressure from wild birds, however, the country only suffered 10 outbreaks as a result the vaccination campaign.
How can we curb a devastating livestock disease?
Foot and mouth disease (FMD) is a livestock disease with devastating consequences on farmers livelihoods, local economies and food security. The clinical signs of the disease cause yearly estimated losses of between 1.5 and 21 billion USD depending on if it’s found in a disease-free zone or in an area where the disease is endemic. It’s recent reappearance in previously FMD-free zones in Europe has caused serious concern and impacted global trade.
CASE STUDY
The Republic of Türkiye: A successful fight against FMD
In 2023, a major threat to the Republic of Türkiye’s livestock sector was reported in the eastern region of the country: FMD serotype SAT-2. Quick response from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry resulted in a winning vaccination strategy.
Türkiye, one of only seven countries globally that produces its own FMD vaccine, produced one containing the SAT-2 strain and, with support from the European Union vaccine bank, delivered 14.2 million doses to cattle and 2.5 million doses to sheep over the course of the year. Since then, the country has maintained biannual vaccinations, dropping the number of outbreaks by 70%.
What data says
Given that exposure to different FMD serotypes do not provide cross-protection, WOAH underscores the importance of accurate strain identification. This is essential for effective vaccine development and informed global disease control strategies to mitigate the spread of new and re-emerging strains.
Stopping rabies at its source
Rabies remains one of the deadliest zoonotic diseases in the world, causing the deaths of 59,000 people each year, nearly half of whom are under the age of 15. The disease, which is fatal in nearly all cases once symptoms appear, devastates communities and puts animal welfare at risk. Yet, its spread is completely preventable with well-coordinated vaccination programmes.
CASE STUDY
Philippines: Collaboration is critical in navigating the rabies minefield
Rabies is a significant public health issue in the Philippines, causing around 200 deaths yearly—98% of which are the result of bites from rabies infected dogs.
To combat this, in 2013, the country began a dog-vaccination programme lead by its newly established National Rabies Prevention and Control Programme (NRPCP). That year 500,000 doses of dog-rabies vaccines were secured. The successful delivery of these vaccines led to yearly vaccine campaigns in the country. Between 2015 and 2020, 15.7 million vaccine doses had been delivered.
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The State of the World’s Animal Health Report
Published by The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), the State of the World’s Animal Health provides a clear, evidence-based overview of the global animal health landscape.