Welcome to The Animal Echo

The Animal Echo is WOAH’s knowledge-sharing space designed to foster dialogue on the global challenges facing society today, through the lens of animal health. It publishes information, research findings and insights into the state and impact of animal health and welfare across the world.

 

The Animal Echo_Knowledge sharing for animal health_group of African veterinarian students observing a horse
Recent articles about Workforce Development

Sci-Tech

Workforce Development

09/09/26

12min read

Strengthening Inclusive Leadership in Animal Health

In 2023, the European Society of Veterinary Pathology (ESVP) and the European College of Veterinary Pathologists (ECVP) established a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Task Force to identify barriers to inclusion within the profession and develop practical recommendations for veterinary organisations, training centres and scientific events. Bringing together members from different countries, career stages and professional sectors (academia, diagnostic laboratories, industry and residency programmes), the Task Force combined a Europe-wide survey with interactive discussions to identify challenges and propose solutions. The diversity of the group itself proved to be an asset by broadening perspectives, strengthening collaboration and leading to more comprehensive recommendations. 

Konstantinos Eleftheriadis

Sci-Tech

Workforce Development

08/19/26

11min read

Engaging Young Professionals in Veterinary Public Good

Sonia Fèvre

Sci-Tech

Workforce Development

07/10/26

8min read

From Burnout to Better Veterinary Workplaces

Not One More Vet (NOMV) emerged from collective grief within the veterinary community and has evolved into a global non-profit organisation dedicated to improving mental health and well-being across the profession. Recognising that challenges such as burnout, compassion fatigue, financial strain and isolation are systemic rather than individual, NOMV promotes structural change alongside personal support. Its CLEAR Blueprint is a practical and scalable framework to help veterinary workplaces create mentally healthy environments through organisation-wide practices. Built around five pillars – Compassion, Listening, Energy, Action and Resources – CLEAR shifts the focus from individual resilience to the way work itself is designed.

Gigi Tsontos

Sci-Tech

Workforce Development

06/30/26

12min read

Why Strong Veterinary Statutory Bodies Matter 

A veterinary workforce can only fulfil its mandate when supported by effective governance. Even the most skilled professionals cannot protect animal health, food systems or public health without a framework that maintains competence and accountability. This is the role of a Veterinary Statutory Body (VSB)

Lynette Havinga

Sci-Tech

Workforce Development

06/23/26

11min read

Mental Health Strategies for Veterinary Emergency Responders 

Gary Vroegindewey

veterinary wellbeing_female veterinarian looking at a sheep in the eye

Blogpost

Workforce Development

06/04/26

7min read

Reframing Veterinary Wellbeing as a Strategic Workforce Priority 

What if veterinary wellbeing depends less on individual resilience and more on the systems we work within? Dr Holowaychuk shares her view.

Dr Marie Holowaychuk

Sci-Tech

Workforce Development

05/21/26

10min read

How Veterinary Statutory Bodies Can Strengthen the Workforce

While workforce development is often associated with governments, educational institutions and professional organisations, the contribution of Veterinary Statutory Bodies (VSBs) is frequently underestimated. This article highlights that VSBs can play a more proactive role in strengthening the veterinary workforce beyond their traditional focus on regulation and discipline.

Jan Vaarten

Sci-Tech

Workforce Development

09/09/26

12min read

Strengthening Inclusive Leadership in Animal Health

In 2023, the European Society of Veterinary Pathology (ESVP) and the European College of Veterinary Pathologists (ECVP) established a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Task Force to identify barriers to inclusion within the profession and develop practical recommendations for veterinary organisations, training centres and scientific events. Bringing together members from different countries, career stages and professional sectors (academia, diagnostic laboratories, industry and residency programmes), the Task Force combined a Europe-wide survey with interactive discussions to identify challenges and propose solutions. The diversity of the group itself proved to be an asset by broadening perspectives, strengthening collaboration and leading to more comprehensive recommendations. 

Konstantinos Eleftheriadis

Sci-Tech

Workforce Development

08/19/26

11min read

Engaging Young Professionals in Veterinary Public Good

Sonia Fèvre

Sci-Tech

Workforce Development

07/10/26

8min read

From Burnout to Better Veterinary Workplaces

Not One More Vet (NOMV) emerged from collective grief within the veterinary community and has evolved into a global non-profit organisation dedicated to improving mental health and well-being across the profession. Recognising that challenges such as burnout, compassion fatigue, financial strain and isolation are systemic rather than individual, NOMV promotes structural change alongside personal support. Its CLEAR Blueprint is a practical and scalable framework to help veterinary workplaces create mentally healthy environments through organisation-wide practices. Built around five pillars – Compassion, Listening, Energy, Action and Resources – CLEAR shifts the focus from individual resilience to the way work itself is designed.

Gigi Tsontos

Sci-Tech

Workforce Development

06/30/26

12min read

Why Strong Veterinary Statutory Bodies Matter 

A veterinary workforce can only fulfil its mandate when supported by effective governance. Even the most skilled professionals cannot protect animal health, food systems or public health without a framework that maintains competence and accountability. This is the role of a Veterinary Statutory Body (VSB)

Lynette Havinga

Sci-Tech

Workforce Development

06/23/26

11min read

Mental Health Strategies for Veterinary Emergency Responders 

Gary Vroegindewey

veterinary wellbeing_female veterinarian looking at a sheep in the eye

Blogpost

Workforce Development

06/04/26

7min read

Reframing Veterinary Wellbeing as a Strategic Workforce Priority 

What if veterinary wellbeing depends less on individual resilience and more on the systems we work within? Dr Holowaychuk shares her view.

Dr Marie Holowaychuk

Sci-Tech

Workforce Development

05/21/26

10min read

How Veterinary Statutory Bodies Can Strengthen the Workforce

While workforce development is often associated with governments, educational institutions and professional organisations, the contribution of Veterinary Statutory Bodies (VSBs) is frequently underestimated. This article highlights that VSBs can play a more proactive role in strengthening the veterinary workforce beyond their traditional focus on regulation and discipline.

Jan Vaarten

View more articles
Recent articles about Global Health Security

Sci-Tech

Global Health Security

01/28/26

10min read

Biosecurity Risks Threaten Agribusiness

Under the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention, biosecurity is defined as the ‘protection, control, and accountability measures implemented to prevent the loss, theft, misuse, diversion or intentional release of biological agents and toxins, and related resources as well as unauthorised access to, retention, or transfer of such materials’

Lijun Shang

Sci-Tech

Global Health Security

12/19/25

12min read

Invisible Challenges, Visible Action: A New One Health Microbial Forensics Capability for the UK

The United Kingdom is developing the United Kingdom Microbial Forensics Consortium (UKMFC), an innovative capability in microbial forensics with a One Health focus – including strengthening animal health systems. This consortium will help provide a robust defence from emerging infectious diseases and acts of bioterrorism. In this article, the authors summarise their model and seek to provide insights into the lessons learned as they develop this capability. 

Simon A. Weller

Sci-Tech

Global Health Security

11/28/25

9min read

Engaging Animal Health and Veterinary Stakeholders with the Biological Weapons Convention

Successful collaboration between the BWC and animal health communities requires shared understanding of these risks and priorities. Veterinary professionals are often the first to detect, report and investigate suspicious animal disease outbreaks at regional or national levels, making their engagement essential. BWC States Parties are encouraged to submit annual confidence-building measures (CBMs) on national biological activities, some of which relate directly to animal health

Sam Pritchard

Sci-Tech

Global Health Security

11/24/25

8min read

Health Risks of Consuming Animals that Died Naturally

Global health security is increasingly threatened by practices that compromise the integrity of food safety, public health and veterinary standards. One such practice, often overlooked yet deeply consequential, is the consumption and commercial resale of animals that died naturally without bloodletting, particularly poultry.

Comfort John

Sci-Tech

Global Health Security

10/28/25

9min read

Advancing One Health Security Through Animal Waste Surveillance and Wildmeat Value Chains

This article explores two emerging pathways: animal waste surveillance and underrepresented threats of wildmeat value chains. Studies led by the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) demonstrate how abattoir waste can serve as low-cost, scalable surveillance tools, generating early warning for zoonotic threats and antimicrobial resistance. Leveraging tools such as genomics, the case study on RVF shows how genomic and ecological monitoring in livestock reveal patterns that allow preventive action before outbreaks escalate.

Ekta Patel

data protection_animals_data scientist in a farm with cattle

Blogpost

Global Health Security

10/22/25

4min read

Why data protection is key to global animal health security

Protecting animal health data starts with awareness. Cybersecurity expert, Pascaline Brossard explains why.

 Pascaline Bossard

Sci-Tech

Global Health Security

10/16/25

7min read

From Fiction to Reality: The Threat of Agro-Terrorism

Daniel Donachie

Sci-Tech

Global Health Security

01/28/26

10min read

Biosecurity Risks Threaten Agribusiness

Under the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention, biosecurity is defined as the ‘protection, control, and accountability measures implemented to prevent the loss, theft, misuse, diversion or intentional release of biological agents and toxins, and related resources as well as unauthorised access to, retention, or transfer of such materials’

Lijun Shang

Sci-Tech

Global Health Security

12/19/25

12min read

Invisible Challenges, Visible Action: A New One Health Microbial Forensics Capability for the UK

The United Kingdom is developing the United Kingdom Microbial Forensics Consortium (UKMFC), an innovative capability in microbial forensics with a One Health focus – including strengthening animal health systems. This consortium will help provide a robust defence from emerging infectious diseases and acts of bioterrorism. In this article, the authors summarise their model and seek to provide insights into the lessons learned as they develop this capability. 

Simon A. Weller

Sci-Tech

Global Health Security

11/28/25

9min read

Engaging Animal Health and Veterinary Stakeholders with the Biological Weapons Convention

Successful collaboration between the BWC and animal health communities requires shared understanding of these risks and priorities. Veterinary professionals are often the first to detect, report and investigate suspicious animal disease outbreaks at regional or national levels, making their engagement essential. BWC States Parties are encouraged to submit annual confidence-building measures (CBMs) on national biological activities, some of which relate directly to animal health

Sam Pritchard

Sci-Tech

Global Health Security

11/24/25

8min read

Health Risks of Consuming Animals that Died Naturally

Global health security is increasingly threatened by practices that compromise the integrity of food safety, public health and veterinary standards. One such practice, often overlooked yet deeply consequential, is the consumption and commercial resale of animals that died naturally without bloodletting, particularly poultry.

Comfort John

Sci-Tech

Global Health Security

10/28/25

9min read

Advancing One Health Security Through Animal Waste Surveillance and Wildmeat Value Chains

This article explores two emerging pathways: animal waste surveillance and underrepresented threats of wildmeat value chains. Studies led by the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) demonstrate how abattoir waste can serve as low-cost, scalable surveillance tools, generating early warning for zoonotic threats and antimicrobial resistance. Leveraging tools such as genomics, the case study on RVF shows how genomic and ecological monitoring in livestock reveal patterns that allow preventive action before outbreaks escalate.

Ekta Patel

data protection_animals_data scientist in a farm with cattle

Blogpost

Global Health Security

10/22/25

4min read

Why data protection is key to global animal health security

Protecting animal health data starts with awareness. Cybersecurity expert, Pascaline Brossard explains why.

 Pascaline Bossard

Sci-Tech

Global Health Security

10/16/25

7min read

From Fiction to Reality: The Threat of Agro-Terrorism

Daniel Donachie

View more articles
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Discover why animal health is everyone’s health.

 

Migration_birds flying over a lake in Kenya

Blogpost

Biosecurity

07/22/26

6min read

On wings or hooves: animal migration is nature’s rhythm

Birds migrate across continents; pastoralists move across landscapes. What can they reveal about governing mobility in a changing world?

Dr Junaidu Maina

climate change and animal health_sheep impacted by wild fire on a mountain

Blogpost

Animal health

06/12/26

6min read

Five ways animal health connects climate change and sustainable food systems

Climate change is reshaping animal health and animal health may help redefine climate resilience. Discover five key interconnections.

Berenice Rocío Taboada Díaz

veterinary wellbeing_female veterinarian looking at a sheep in the eye

Blogpost

Workforce Development

06/04/26

7min read

Reframing Veterinary Wellbeing as a Strategic Workforce Priority 

What if veterinary wellbeing depends less on individual resilience and more on the systems we work within? Dr Holowaychuk shares her view.

Dr Marie Holowaychuk

invest animal health _a herd of sheep on the farm

Blogpost

Animal health

05/22/26

5min read

Mind the Gap: 5 ways investing in animal health bridges our shared health divide 

Stronger animal health systems create wider benefits for animals, people and the environment. Discover how these connections matter and how to bridge the gap.

Dr Mbargou Lo

india animal health system

Blogpost

Collaboration

05/21/26

7min read

How India’s innovation system is enabling stronger private sector engagement in animal health 

India’s animal health sector is undergoing significant transformation. Discover how.

Dr Praveen Malik

Blogpost

Animal health systems

05/04/26

7min read

We asked next-gen veterinarians: How can we better invest in animal health and welfare?

From prevention to protecting ecosystems, young veterinarians explain how investing in animal health safeguards people, animals, and the environment.

International Veterinary Students Association (IVSA)

veterinary education investment in Africa_Black Young female veterinarian looking after a horse

Blogpost

Animal health systems

04/13/26

6min read

What investing in veterinary education delivers for Africa’s health and resilience

A ripple effect: strengthening cross-border disease control and coordinated responses to transboundary threats. Discover more.

Dr Junaidu Maina

Migration_birds flying over a lake in Kenya

Blogpost

Biosecurity

07/22/26

6min read

On wings or hooves: animal migration is nature’s rhythm

Birds migrate across continents; pastoralists move across landscapes. What can they reveal about governing mobility in a changing world?

Dr Junaidu Maina

climate change and animal health_sheep impacted by wild fire on a mountain

Blogpost

Animal health

06/12/26

6min read

Five ways animal health connects climate change and sustainable food systems

Climate change is reshaping animal health and animal health may help redefine climate resilience. Discover five key interconnections.

Berenice Rocío Taboada Díaz

veterinary wellbeing_female veterinarian looking at a sheep in the eye

Blogpost

Workforce Development

06/04/26

7min read

Reframing Veterinary Wellbeing as a Strategic Workforce Priority 

What if veterinary wellbeing depends less on individual resilience and more on the systems we work within? Dr Holowaychuk shares her view.

Dr Marie Holowaychuk

invest animal health _a herd of sheep on the farm

Blogpost

Animal health

05/22/26

5min read

Mind the Gap: 5 ways investing in animal health bridges our shared health divide 

Stronger animal health systems create wider benefits for animals, people and the environment. Discover how these connections matter and how to bridge the gap.

Dr Mbargou Lo

india animal health system

Blogpost

Collaboration

05/21/26

7min read

How India’s innovation system is enabling stronger private sector engagement in animal health 

India’s animal health sector is undergoing significant transformation. Discover how.

Dr Praveen Malik

Blogpost

Animal health systems

05/04/26

7min read

We asked next-gen veterinarians: How can we better invest in animal health and welfare?

From prevention to protecting ecosystems, young veterinarians explain how investing in animal health safeguards people, animals, and the environment.

International Veterinary Students Association (IVSA)

veterinary education investment in Africa_Black Young female veterinarian looking after a horse

Blogpost

Animal health systems

04/13/26

6min read

What investing in veterinary education delivers for Africa’s health and resilience

A ripple effect: strengthening cross-border disease control and coordinated responses to transboundary threats. Discover more.

Dr Junaidu Maina

View more articles

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Animal health

Animal health systems

Artificial Intelligence

Biosecurity

Collaboration

Gender

Global Health Security

Innovation

Veterinary Workforce

Wildlife

Workforce Development