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WOAH’s First Global Animal Health Report Underscores Vaccination as a Cornerstone of Disease Control and Economic Stability

29/05/2025

The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) has released a first-of-its-kind global review of animal disease dynamics—and its findings are a wake-up call. The State of the World’s Animal Health report confirms that animal diseases are moving faster and farther than ever before, with nearly half posing zoonotic risks to humans. But alongside these threats, the report elevates one critical solution: vaccination.

As the spread of diseases like avian influenza, peste des petits ruminants (PPR), and African swine fever (ASF) threatens livestock production, biodiversity, and international trade, the report reveals just how powerful—and underutilized—vaccines remain in safeguarding the global food economy.

France, Turkiye, and the Philippines: Vaccination in Action

One of the most striking examples comes from France, where a nationwide duck vaccination program launched in 2023 turned a looming crisis into a quiet success. Ducks are notorious carriers of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), a virus that has disrupted poultry markets across continents. French authorities anticipated around 700 outbreaks for the season. Thanks to preemptive immunization, they recorded only 10.

The economic ripple effect was enormous. France avoided mass poultry culls, protected its export markets, and preserved domestic food supply chains—demonstrating how science-based planning can neutralize risks before they cascade into crises.

In Turkiye, the government responded to an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) by fast-tracking vaccine development. Within just over a month, Turkish scientists had produced a tailored vaccine. Within six months, over 90% of the country’s cattle and a significant portion of its sheep population were immunized. This swift, large-scale campaign not only contained the disease but also reinforced Turkiye’s position in international livestock trade.

The Philippines, meanwhile, offers a long-term case study in public health impact. With support from WOAH’s vaccine bank and EU funding, the country administered millions of rabies vaccines to dogs, leading to a dramatic drop in human rabies cases—a disease that is nearly 100% fatal but fully preventable. Beyond the obvious human health benefits, the campaign also reduced the burden on public health systems and improved community safety, especially in rural areas.

The Economics of Prevention: More Than Just Cost Savings

Vaccination is often viewed through a public health lens, but the WOAH report reframes it as a macro-economic tool. Outbreaks disrupt trade, destroy incomes, and erode food security. Preventing them is cheaper and more predictable than responding after the fact.

WOAH estimates that robust vaccination programs reduce the need for costly culling operations, prevent price shocks in meat and dairy markets, and reduce reliance on antibiotics—thereby curbing the rise of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). In fact, antibiotic use in animals fell by 5% globally from 2020 to 2022, largely thanks to better prevention practices, including vaccination. Yet WOAH warns that continued progress depends on scaling up access to vaccines in low- and middle-income countries.

Unequal Access, Shared Risk

Despite their proven effectiveness, vaccines are unevenly available around the world. Veterinary infrastructure, political will, and funding gaps all play a role. In regions with limited access, disease outbreaks not only cause domestic losses but also pose risks to neighboring economies and global supply chains.

WOAH calls for urgent investment in national Veterinary Services, regional vaccine banks, and new diagnostic tools that can distinguish vaccinated animals from infected ones—critical for maintaining trade transparency and market confidence.

Looking Ahead

As the State of the World’s Animal Health report makes clear, the animal health landscape is becoming more volatile—but also more manageable, if we use the tools at hand. Vaccination is not just a veterinary intervention; it’s a global economic stabilizer, a biosecurity strategy, and a pillar of One Health resilience.

For policymakers, producers, and investors alike, the message is simple: invest in prevention now, or pay far more later.

For access to the full WOAH report or to request interviews with contributing experts, contact: media@woah.org.