WOAH warns of global risk from underfunded veterinary systems

Recent outbreaks of ASF, foot and mouth disease, and avian influenza highlight urgent need for stronger veterinary systems worldwide.

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WOAH warns of global risk from underfunded veterinary systems

Photo credit: WOAH

Pathology porciNews Asia

The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) warns that animal health systems receive minimal funding compared to defense budgets and human health. Animal health accounts for less than 2.5% of development assistance for health, while global defense spending reached USD 2.9 trillion in 2025. This disparity leaves countries vulnerable to transboundary diseases and food insecurity.

Animal diseases already destroy over 20% of global animal production annually, with the heaviest impacts felt in low- and middle-income nations. These regions rely on livestock for livelihoods, nutrition, and economic resilience, yet their veterinary systems remain under-resourced.

Rising disease threats

The report highlights recent outbreaks that underscore the urgency of stronger systems:

✅ African swine fever: Continued spread, including long-distance transmission events.
✅ Foot and mouth disease: Unprecedented outbreaks in Southern Africa and re-emergence in Europe.
✅ Avian influenza: More than 2000 outbreaks across 64 countries between 2025–2026, leading to the loss of 140 million poultry.
✅ New World screwworm: Tens of thousands of cases in Central America, with northward spread threatening new regions.

With 75% of emerging human infectious diseases originating in animals, veterinary systems are the first line of defense against future pandemics.

Costs of prevention vs inaction

WOAH estimates that bringing veterinary services worldwide up to international standards would cost USD 2.3 billion annually. This figure is less than 0.05% of the USD 3.6 trillion in losses from Covid-19. Yet, 18% of countries show declining veterinary capacity, and 22% report weakening paraprofessional capacity, raising concerns about surveillance and emergency response.

✅ Increase funding for veterinary services.
✅ Integrate animal health into broader health, economic, and security strategies.
✅ Prioritize prevention over crisis response.
✅ Recognize animal health as a high-impact investment for resilience.

Recent WOAH assessments show that countries need an average 52% budget increase to meet effective veterinary service costs. Encouragingly, more than half of nations engaged in WOAH’s Performance Veterinary Services Pathway reported increased financial resources after tailored assessments.