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
Events
29/6
2026
From the last case to lasting legacy: 25 years without rinderpest and 15 years of global eradication
29/06/2026
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is organizing a special webinar marking two historic milestones in animal health: 15 years since the official declaration of global rinderpest eradication and 25 years...
24/6
2026
Early warning and digital innovation for One Health surveillance
24/06/2026
Join the ENTRVST scientific webinar on how early warning systems and digital innovation can strengthen One Health surveillance in Asia and the Pacific. Emerging infectious diseases, zoonotic threats and transboundary animal diseases...
Publications
Videos
Rinderpest eradication
25/06/2026
Felix Njeumi, Global Rinderpest Eradication Programme (GREP) Secretary, highlights all the steps that lead to the eradication in June 2011 of the first...
Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) -Strengthening One Health and emergency preparedness & response
02/06/2026
This webinar equipped stakeholders and frontline professionals with up-to-date knowledge on CCHF epidemiology and risk factors, as well as practical...
Lumpy skin disease prevention and control – Part 2
26/05/2026
This webinar series will bring together leading international experts to address key topics including LSD epidemiology and surveillance, vector transmission...