Why in the News?

The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) released the first-ever State of the World’s Animal Health report.

Key Highlights of the Report:

India faces high risk from transboundary animal diseases, with 47% of global outbreaks between 2005–2023 being zoonotic, affecting both animals and humans.
African Swine Fever (ASF), which jumped 1,800 km to Sri Lanka in 2024, threatens India’s northeast pig-rearing regions already impacted in past years.
Avian Influenza (HPAI) saw outbreaks in non-poultry species surpass poultry in 2024; India’s dense poultry population makes cross-species transmission a growing concern.
Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), endemic in India, showed new serotype SAT 3 and SAT 1 activity in other countries, posing vaccine adaptation challenges.
Diseases like Lumpy Skin Disease and PPR, both reported in India earlier, are now spreading to new global regions, highlighting potential for reintroduction.
WOAH urges global action on vaccine equity, surveillance, and biosecurity, which align with India’s need to safeguard livelihoods, trade, and food security.

Establishment: WOAH, formerly known as OIE, was founded in 1924 and is headquartered in Paris, France.
Membership: It has 183 member countries, including India, and operates independently from the United Nations.
Mandate: WOAH is the global authority on animal health, working to control animal epidemics (epizootics) and improve global animal welfare.
Key Functions:
- Runs the World Animal Health Information System (WAHIS) to track disease outbreaks.
- Sets international health standards for trade in animals and animal products.
- Promotes science-based animal welfare policies and transparent disease reporting.
- Offers technical support to countries, especially developing nations.
Global Cooperation: Works with over 70 global partners, including the FAO.
India’s Role: India is a member and an active participant through the World Assembly of Delegates.

[UPSC 2005] Which one of the following diseases of milching animals are infectious?

1. Foot and Mouth disease

2. Anthrax

3. Black Quarter

4. Cowpox

Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

Options: (a) 1, 2 and 3 (b) 2, 3 and 4 (c) 1 and 4 (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4*