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

11/6

2026

11/06/2026

The upcoming webinar will showcase how biosecurity in the poultry sector contributes to reducing the need for antimicrobials. Drawing on field evidence from commercial broiler farms in Pakistan...

5/6

2026

Hybrid Event, 05/06/2026

This event will showcase how coordinated global actions through established frameworks, networks and regional alliances have worked to contain outbreaks and prevent further spread, and where gaps and challenges remain. We will present case studies demonstrating the critical importance...

Publications
Mainstreaming the eradication of peste des petits ruminants into national development plans
05/2026

The guidelines explore the steps involved in mainstreaming PPR eradication issues into national development planning processes, namely the appointment...

FAO Global Partnership Programme for Transboundary Animal Diseases
05/2026

The FAO GPP-TAD is a strategic mechanism designed to address the growing and interconnected threats posed by transboundary animal diseases (TADs) to...

Global control of African swine fever - A GF-TADs initiative (2020-2025)
05/2026

African swine fever remains one of the most serious threats to pig production, livelihoods, food security, and safe trade. ASF has spread across Africa,...

Updated joint FAO/WHO/WOAH public health assessment of recent high pathogenicity avian influenza A(H5) virus events in animals and people. Assessment based on data as of 1 March 2026
05/2026

This risk assessment from FAO, WHO and WOAH updates the assessment of the risk of zoonotic transmission (for example, animal to human) considering additional...

Foot-and-Mouth Disease in Southern Africa - Emerging trends and regional implications
05/2026

This edition of EMPRES Watch presents an evidence‑based overview of the escalating foot‑and‑mouth disease (FMD) situation in southern Africa, where...

Microbiomes in One Health - Integration of microbiomes in One Health Framework: Policy implications
05/2026

This FAO position paper examines the integration of microbiome science into the One Health framework, and outlines key policy implications for global...

Sixth annual meeting of the Peste des Petits Ruminants Global Research and Expertise Network(PPR-GREN) - 28–30 November 2023, India
04/2026

The Proceedings of the Sixth Annual Meeting of the Peste des Petits Ruminants Global Research and Expertise Network (PPR-GREN) is a report aimed at...

FAO alerts countries in Asia and the Pacific to enhance preparedness for foot-and-mouth disease SAT1
04/2026

FAO calls on countries and territories to enhance vigilance and preparedness in response to the continued spread of foot and mouth disease (FMD) virus...

Sheep pox and goat pox – A field manual for veterinarians
04/2026

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

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...

Videos
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...

Lumpy skin disease prevention and control – Part 1
26/05/2026

Originally confined to sub-Saharan Africa, LSD has progressively spread to new regions since 2000, raising growing concerns for animal health. Affecting...