Animal health receives less than 2.5% of global health funding despite rising disease threats, WOAH warns

FRANCE – The World Organisation for Animal Health has warned that chronic underinvestment in animal health systems is leaving countries increasingly exposed to transboundary animal diseases, food insecurity and future pandemic risks, despite rising global defence spending.

In its annual State of the World’s Animal Health report released ahead of the organisation’s 93rd General Session in Paris, WOAH said animal diseases destroy more than 20% of global animal production each year, with the heaviest impact falling on low- and middle-income countries.

The report highlighted growing pressure on veterinary systems amid outbreaks of avian influenza, foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), African swine fever, and New World screwworm spreading across multiple regions.

According to WOAH, more than 2,000 outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza were reported in 64 countries and territories between 2025 and 2026, resulting in the loss or culling of over 140 million poultry.

At the same time, FMD outbreaks intensified in Southern Africa and re-emerged in Europe, while African swine fever continued spreading through long-distance transmission events.

WOAH, said reduced international aid budgets are worsening the situation. 

Development assistance for health declined to approximately US$39.1 billion in 2025, with animal health receiving less than 2.5% of total funding.

Meanwhile, global defence spending reached a record US$2.9 trillion.

“Animal health systems sit at the very centre of food security, economic stability, welfare and human health, and yet are chronically underfunded,” said Emmanuelle Soubeyran.

She added that stronger investment in prevention and One Health strategies remains critical to reducing future disease risks.

WOAH estimates that bringing Veterinary Services in every country up to international standards would cost around US$2.3 billion annually, a figure the organisation says is small compared to the estimated US$3.6 trillion in economic losses linked to COVID-19 in 2020.

Feed and livestock sectors face growing disease pressure

The report comes as the livestock and feed industries globally continue to deal with the economic effects of disease outbreaks, rising biosecurity costs, and supply chain disruptions.

Animal disease outbreaks often trigger movement restrictions, trade suspensions and sharp increases in feed and production costs.

In the poultry sector, particularly, avian influenza outbreaks have disrupted feed demand patterns and production planning across several markets.

The livestock industry is also facing increasing scrutiny over preparedness for emerging diseases, especially as 75% of emerging infectious diseases affecting humans originate in animals.

WOAH warned that veterinary capacity is declining in several countries, with 18% of recently assessed countries showing weaker veterinary systems and 22% reporting declining paraprofessional capacity.

“What we are observing goes beyond the spread of disease and also reflects increasing pressure on surveillance networks and emergency response capacities,” said Paolo Tizzani.

The organisation said that improving surveillance, veterinary infrastructure, and disease prevention systems remains essential for protecting livestock production, trade, and global food security.

WOAH’s findings will inform discussions during its General Session, scheduled for May 18–22, where delegates will focus on the theme “Investing in Animal Health to Secure Everyone’s Future.”

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