This edition highlights advances in AMR, surveillance and One Health. In India, 40 lab professionals began online training to strengthen AMR surveillance using the ATLASS tool. Nepal completed provincial One Health committee formation with support from the Pandemic Fund. In Cambodia, field staff were trained to use digital tools for real-time disease reporting. Indonesia advanced plans to upgrade its zoonoses information system to improve outbreak monitoring.
News
FAO advances regional pandemic preparedness through national One Health courses in India and Sri Lanka
20/11/2025
FAO has launched its Introduction to One Health course in India and Sri Lanka, training more than 600 professionals to tackle health threats at the human–animal–environment interface. With rising zoonotic risks, this programme builds practical skills and cross-sector coordination to prevent pandemics before they start.
News roundup August 2025
01/09/2025
This August, our work across Asia and the Pacific showcases significant progress in addressing some of today's most pressing animal health challenges. We highlight Indonesia’s community-driven success in controlling African swine fever, India’s advancements in antimicrobial resistance surveillance and the development of climate-resilient dairy systems. Additionally, we see regional innovations in veterinary training and laboratory leadership. FAO and its partners are fostering resilience at every level. Discover how local actions, digital solutions and strong partnerships are creating healthier futures for animals, people and ecosystems.
News roundup 16 to 31 July 2025
01/08/2025
This edition spotlights new partnerships and progress under the Pandemic Fund in India, Indonesia, Nepal and Viet Nam; laboratory upgrades and leadership training; advances in epidemiology and capacity development; and impactful efforts against African swine fever and antimicrobial resistance. Dive in for inspiring stories of collaboration, innovation and resilience driving healthier animals, people and environments across the region.
News roundup 16 to 30 June 2025
30/06/2025
This edition features action on ASF, AMR and One Health. In the Philippines, 177 farmers adopted daily ASF biosecurity under the CABI programme. Poultry farmers in Viet Nam cut antibiotic use by 34 percent through training. India advanced One Health messaging at a national workshop, while Nepal boosted lab capacity with new FAO equipment. An FAO-Australia webinar deepened avian influenza awareness across the region.
News roundup 1 to 15 June 2025
15/06/2025
This edition spotlights regional action on food safety, animal health and One Health. Viet Nam marked World Food Safety Day with a student forum on science-based solutions. In Indonesia, an Eid al-Adha campaign reached over 30 000 people with livestock health messages. A Cambodian farmer’s training reduced AMR through better pig care, while in India, FAO highlighted One Health support at a national workshop.
News roundup 16 to 31 May 2025
31/05/2025
This edition highlights regional efforts to strengthen health systems and cross-sector collaboration in Asia and the Pacific. FAO supports One Health and biosecurity initiatives at key conference, farmer engagement on zoonoses and AMR in Nepal, and field activities to boost lab capacity and surveillance in India and Indonesia. In Viet Nam, cross-sectoral work is advancing wildlife and pandemic prevention strategies.
News roundup 1 to 15 May 2025
15/05/2025
This issue of the news roundup dives into the latest advancements in health security, laboratory systems, One Health and antimicrobial resistance across Asia and the Pacific. This edition highlights FAO's efforts to combat zoonotic diseases in Cambodia and explores exciting goat milk value chain opportunities in India. Discover the groundbreaking partnerships and innovative strategies that are shaping the future of global health resilience.
News roundup April 2025
13/05/2025
This issue of the News Roundup emphasizes the collaborative efforts of FAO across Asia and the Pacific to improve animal health and enhance pandemic preparedness. Initiatives include a partnership with the UK in Viet Nam to combat antimicrobial resistance, a scoping mission in India to improve wildlife disease surveillance training, a workshop in Nepal focused on enhancing the pig value chain for disease prevention and a regional consultation aimed at strengthening collaborative surveillance efforts.
News roundup January to March 2025
01/04/2025
This past quarter was filled with significant activities across the region, including the launch of major One Health initiatives and the enhancement of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) surveillance and biosecurity at the community level. Learn how FAO and its partners are transforming animal health systems, improving pandemic preparedness and empowering farmers through innovation, training and cross-sector collaboration. Explore our latest updates, success stories and highlights from various countries including regional teams.
FAO enhances AMR surveillance with INFAAR: A network of laboratories for animals and fisheries in India
25/11/2024
In a significant stride towards tackling antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in India, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), has been instrumental in establishing the India Network for Fisheries and Animal Antimicrobial Resistance (INFAAR). This initiative marks a pioneeri...
Pandemic Fund project launch in India
25/10/2024
FAO in collaboration with the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India; the World Bank; and the Asian Development Bank, launched the Pandemic Fund Project in India, titled “Animal Health Security Strengthening in India for Pandemic Preparedness and Response.”
FAO organizes AST WHONET training for new INFAAR members
17/10/2024
On 15-17 October 2024, FAO, in collaboration with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), organized a training on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (AST) and data analysis using WHONET software at the National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.
Prioritization of animal infectious diseases using USCDC’s One Health Zoonotic Disease Prioritization tool in India
30/08/2024
From 28 to 30 August 2024, FAO, in collaboration with the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD) and FAO Regional Office of the Asia and Pacific (FAORAP), organized a three-day workshop on animal infectious disease prioritization in Delhi.
FAO organizes finalization of Standard Veterinary Treatment Guidelines workshop
09/08/2024
On 8-9 August 2024, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in collaboration with the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, organized a two-day workshop to finalize the Standard Veterinary Treatment Guidelines (SVTGs).
FAO DAHD collaborate to strengthen the animal health sector in India
07/05/2024
FAO organized a one-day consultation with senior officials from the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD) to discuss ongoing and future collaborative initiatives of FAO and the Government of India.
FAO’s visit to NCDC: Insights on public health initiatives for enhanced disease surveillance
02/05/2024
Takayuki Hagiwara, FAO Representative in India along with Dr Roderico Ofrin WHO Representative to India, and the FAO ECTAD India team visited the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) in New Delhi on 2 May 2024 to gain first-hand knowledge of health information management.
Advancing India’s poultry health: Insights from expert consultation
29/04/2024
Takayuki Hagiwara, FAO Representative in India and FAO Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Diseases (ECTAD) team participated in a two-day expert consultation to develop the Poultry Action Plan of India. The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India organised the two-...
Veterinary treatment guidelines and disease prioritization strategy for India
08/04/2024
FAO met the Animal Husbandry Commissioner of India (AHC), Dr Abhijit Mitra to formulate a comprehensive standard veterinary treatment guideline tailored for India.
Workshop on Animal Health: Advancing collaborative disease prevention and control with One Health approach
14/03/2024
FAO organized a one-day multisectoral experts workshop on animal health with a One Health approach on 14 March 2024 in Delhi. The meeting welcomed an esteemed gathering of over 60 participants, including experts from the animal, human, environment and wildlife sectors, donor agency – USAID,...
The environmental threat of antimicrobial resistance in India (op-ed)
25 November 2024
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing global health crisis, making common infections harder to treat and threatening lives. AMR occurs when microorganisms (like bacteria, virus, fungi and parasites) become resistant to medications – including antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals, and antiparasitic – that were once effective in treating infections.
FAO enhances AMR surveillance with INFAAR: A network of laboratories for animals and fisheries in India
25 November 2024
In a significant stride towards tackling antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in India, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), has been instrumental in establishing the India Network for Fisheries and Animal Antimicrobial Resistance (INFAAR). This initiative marks a pioneering effort to create a structured surveillance network aimed at addressing AMR in the country's fisheries and livestock sectors.
Pandemic preparedness: How FAO is strengthening India's response to zoonotic threats (op-ed)
6 July 2024
On July 6, 1885, French biologist Louis Pasteur administered the first rabies vaccine to a young boy bitten by a rabid dog, marking a pivotal moment in the understanding of zoonotic diseases — those transmitted from animals to humans. This historic event led to the establishment of the World Zoonoses Day, observed annually on July 6. The day aims to raise awareness about zoonotic diseases, emphasizing their profound impact on global health and highlighting the need for continuous research, attention, and collaboration to prevent outbreaks and safeguard public health.
The looming threat of antimicrobial resistance (op-ed)
6 December 2023
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing threat to global public health as disease-causing germs (microorganisms) develop resistance to life-saving antibiotics. As per a Lancet study, in 2019, five million human deaths were associated with bacterial antimicrobial resistance worldwide, including nearly 1.3 million human deaths attributable to bacterial AMR.