Animal health

FAO's role in animal health

The link between human and animal populations, and the surrounding environment, is particularly close in developing regions where animals provide transportation, draught power, fuel, clothing, high-quality proteins (meat, eggs and milk) and source of income. Therefore, animal health is a core element for sustainable development and livestock production. 

As changes in livestock production increase the potential for new pathogens to emerge, grow and spread from animals to humans, healthy animals are closely related to healthy people and a healthy environment. Through the One Health approach, FAO contributes to improving animal health to make livestock production more productive and sustainable while achieving optimal health for all at the human-animal-environment interface.

Areas of work
Stories
stories
The Screwworm menace affecting animals and threatening humans in Senegal
Events

21/4

2026

21/04/2026

The upcoming webinar will bring together cutting‑edge innovation and practical field experience to explore how animal biosecurity can be strengthened from farm to policy level. Participants will learn how artificial intelligence and digital tools...

20/4

2026

20/04/2026

FMD remains one of the most contagious and economically significant transboundary animal diseases, with major implications for food security, livelihoods, and trade. Recent developments, including the spread of SAT1 and SAT2 serotypes...

Publications
FAO and IGAD warn: Flooding and rainfall increase Rift Valley fever threat across eastern and southern Africa – April 2026
04/2026

FAO urges countries to increase awareness, enhance preparedness, and protect vulnerable communities, livestock, and livelihoods. Strong coordination...

FAO Alert on avian influenza – Risk of upsurge and regional spread through wild birds in Latin America and the Caribbean
04/2026

FAO warns of a renewed risk of upsurge and regional spread of H5N1 high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) in Latin America and the Caribbean. Since...

Recommendations from the FAO Global Dialogue - Tackling high pathogenicity avian influenza together. Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil – 11 September 2025
03/2026

This publication summarizes the key recommendations from the FAO global dialogue on high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) held in Foz do Iguaçu,...

FAO alert on increased avian influenza risk during Lunar New Year poultry movements in Asia
02/2026

FAO calls for heightened vigilance and preparedness for avian influenza (AI) during the Lunar New Year festivities across Asia in the week of 15 February...

Sheep pox and goat pox – A field manual for veterinarians
01/2026

This field manual provides veterinarians and animal health professionals with clear, practical guidance for the early detection, control and prevention...

Considerations for competent authorities and livestock industries on use of African swine fever vaccines (Genotype II) to enhance disease control
01/2026

Once confined to sub-Saharan Africa, African swine fever (ASF) has now become a global panzootic, threatening food security, livelihoods, international...

Increased risk of high pathogenicity avian influenza introduction and spread in Africa
12/2025

FAO calls for heightened surveillance and preparedness for avian influenza (AI) during the period from December to March. Given the ongoing situation...

Improving poultry health and productivity - Practical training materials for veterinarians and farmers for better farm management
12/2025

This volume is part of a broader series that also addresses other major production systems and livestock species, including dairy cattle, beef cattle,...

Progressive pathway for emergency preparedness - Self-assessment user guide 2025
12/2025

The Progressive pathway for emergency preparedness (PPEP) self-assessment user guide is a comprehensive guide that helps national authorities evaluate...

Improving dairy cattle health and productivity - Practical training materials for veterinarians and farmers for better farm management
12/2025

This highly visual set of training materials focuses on core farm-level practices known to impact animal health and production outcomes, such as colostrum...

Videos
Assessing the impact of the 'Empowering Veterinary Paraprofessional Entrepreneurs project in Nigeria
10/04/2026

In Nigeria, as in many parts of sub-Saharan Africa, there are relatively few veterinarians, and public veterinary services necessarily focus on surveillance...

Data-driven biosecurity: modelling risk and ensuring continuity in animal production
26/03/2026

Strengthening biosecurity in modern livestock systems requires practical tools that translate complex interactions between farms, people and animals...

Launch of the Mpox guide on animal case detection
19/03/2026

FAO officially launched a new publication “Mpox case detection in animals - A guide to epidemiological and laboratory investigations”, which is a new...