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.
Sci-Tech
Workforce Development
06/30/26
12min read
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
Gary Vroegindewey
Blogpost
Workforce Development
06/04/26
7min read
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
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
05/18/26
14min read
Collaboration is presented as a structured, demand-driven ecosystem that aligns national priorities with regional and global partnerships, supporting cross-sectoral One Health action and resilient governance. Capital is considered broadly, encompassing not only financial investment but also human, institutional, legal, social and knowledge resources, all of which remain chronically underbalanced in many contexts. The article demonstrates that only integrated investment across these three pillars can deliver lasting improvements, enabling Veterinary Services to address emerging health, economic and environmental challenges to remain fit for the future.
Hana Abdelsattar
Sci-Tech
Workforce Development
04/01/26
12min read
Veterinary Services are going through important demographic and professional changes that are reshaping expectations around work and well-being. At the same time, growing evidence shows that veterinarians around the world face high levels of psychological distress, burnout and workplace stress. Drawing on recent studies from both the Global North and Global South, this article highlights key factors affecting veterinary professionals, including heavy workloads, financial pressures and limited recognition of their work.
Marlène Buchy
Sci-Tech
Workforce Development
06/30/26
12min read
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
05/21/26
10min read
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
05/18/26
14min read
Collaboration is presented as a structured, demand-driven ecosystem that aligns national priorities with regional and global partnerships, supporting cross-sectoral One Health action and resilient governance. Capital is considered broadly, encompassing not only financial investment but also human, institutional, legal, social and knowledge resources, all of which remain chronically underbalanced in many contexts. The article demonstrates that only integrated investment across these three pillars can deliver lasting improvements, enabling Veterinary Services to address emerging health, economic and environmental challenges to remain fit for the future.
Hana Abdelsattar
Sci-Tech
Workforce Development
04/01/26
12min read
Veterinary Services are going through important demographic and professional changes that are reshaping expectations around work and well-being. At the same time, growing evidence shows that veterinarians around the world face high levels of psychological distress, burnout and workplace stress. Drawing on recent studies from both the Global North and Global South, this article highlights key factors affecting veterinary professionals, including heavy workloads, financial pressures and limited recognition of their work.
Marlène Buchy
Sci-Tech
Global Health Security
01/28/26
10min read
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
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
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
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
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
Sci-Tech
Global Health Security
01/28/26
10min read
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
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
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
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
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
Discover why animal health is everyone’s health.
Blogpost
Animal health
06/12/26
6min read
Climate change is reshaping animal health and animal health may help redefine climate resilience. Discover five key interconnections.
Berenice Rocío Taboada Díaz
Blogpost
Workforce Development
06/04/26
7min read
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
Blogpost
Animal health
05/22/26
5min read
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
Blogpost
Collaboration
05/21/26
7min read
India’s animal health sector is undergoing significant transformation. Discover how.
Dr Praveen Malik
Blogpost
Animal health systems
05/04/26
7min read
From prevention to protecting ecosystems, young veterinarians explain how investing in animal health safeguards people, animals, and the environment.
International Veterinary Students Association (IVSA)
Blogpost
Animal health systems
04/13/26
6min read
A ripple effect: strengthening cross-border disease control and coordinated responses to transboundary threats. Discover more.
Dr Junaidu Maina
Blogpost
Biosecurity
03/23/26
4min read
What motivates people to work in global health security? How do experts explain complex concepts like biosecurity to a curious 10-year-old? Two experts share.
Interviewee: Dr. Kirk Douglas
Blogpost
Animal health systems
05/04/26
7min read
From prevention to protecting ecosystems, young veterinarians explain how investing in animal health safeguards people, animals, and the environment.
International Veterinary Students Association (IVSA)
Blogpost
Biosecurity
03/23/26
4min read
What motivates people to work in global health security? How do experts explain complex concepts like biosecurity to a curious 10-year-old? Two experts share.
Interviewee: Dr. Kirk Douglas
