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.
Blogpost
Opinion
08/07/25
5min read
AI is reshaping aquaculture but it’s no one-size-fits-all fix. With its promise comes a need for reflection. Discover more.
Dr. Md. Tanvir Rahman
Sci-Tech
Analysis
07/30/25
10min read
The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) plays a critical role in collecting, managing and disseminating extensive animal health data. To manage this data, the Organisation is pioneering the Data Architecture Project (DAP), which will establish a central data repository, enabling integration and connectivity across all WOAH datasets.
Amy Hammond
Sci-Tech
Analysis
07/29/25
9min read
Smallholder livestock systems face increasing challenges due to climate variability, particularly heat stress, which impacts animal health, welfare and productivity. Traditional productivity measurements, such as milk yield or growth rate, are labour-intensive, costly and fail to capture an animal’s overall adaptability. In response, the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) and Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) are pioneering a novel phenotyping approach using low-cost sensors, video analysis and artificial intelligence (AI).
Stephen Kemp
Blogpost
Opinion
07/04/25
7min read
What if your barn could spot an illness before you do? AI is quietly transforming how we care for animals. Discover how.
Santiago Alonso Sousa
Sci-Tech
Interview
07/02/25
13min read
Four experts reveal how AI is transforming disease surveillance and veterinary practice In a remote region of California, a wildlife rehabilitation centre uploads routine clinical notes about an injured eagle showing signs of neurological symptoms. Within hours, an AI system flags this case alongside similar reports from across the State, detecting an unusual pattern that might signal an emerging disease outbreak—weeks before traditional surveillance methods would notice.
Claude AI
Sci-Tech
Analysis
06/26/25
10min read
Since the early 2000s, several event-based surveillance (EBS) systems have been developed to collect information on epidemics published in online media (for example, ProMED-mail since 1994, HealthMap since 2006, PADI-web since 2016, EIOS since 2017). These systems cover a range of diseases and syndromes in both humans and animals. EBS systems serve as alert systems for disease events, enabling epidemiologists to carry out early surveillance, including in zones that are poorly covered by official surveillance systems. Some of these EBS systems, such as PADI-web, integrate artificial intelligence and natural language processing (NLP) to improve automatic document classification and identify epidemiological events within articles. This article will provide examples of the day-to-day use of EBS systems in France.
Mathieu Roche
Sci-Tech
Analysis
05/26/25
10min read
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming animal health across the world. These tools enable early disease detection, personalised treatment and improved animal management. By analysing complex datasets, such tools optimise diagnostics, predict outbreaks and improve veterinary care. This article discusses real-world AI trends and case studies. As these technologies improve, their impact on animal health will continue to increase.
B. Dharmaveer Shetty
Sci-Tech
Analysis
07/30/25
10min read
The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) plays a critical role in collecting, managing and disseminating extensive animal health data. To manage this data, the Organisation is pioneering the Data Architecture Project (DAP), which will establish a central data repository, enabling integration and connectivity across all WOAH datasets.
Amy Hammond
Sci-Tech
Analysis
07/29/25
9min read
Smallholder livestock systems face increasing challenges due to climate variability, particularly heat stress, which impacts animal health, welfare and productivity. Traditional productivity measurements, such as milk yield or growth rate, are labour-intensive, costly and fail to capture an animal’s overall adaptability. In response, the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) and Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) are pioneering a novel phenotyping approach using low-cost sensors, video analysis and artificial intelligence (AI).
Stephen Kemp
Sci-Tech
Interview
07/02/25
13min read
Four experts reveal how AI is transforming disease surveillance and veterinary practice In a remote region of California, a wildlife rehabilitation centre uploads routine clinical notes about an injured eagle showing signs of neurological symptoms. Within hours, an AI system flags this case alongside similar reports from across the State, detecting an unusual pattern that might signal an emerging disease outbreak—weeks before traditional surveillance methods would notice.
Claude AI
Sci-Tech
Analysis
06/26/25
10min read
Since the early 2000s, several event-based surveillance (EBS) systems have been developed to collect information on epidemics published in online media (for example, ProMED-mail since 1994, HealthMap since 2006, PADI-web since 2016, EIOS since 2017). These systems cover a range of diseases and syndromes in both humans and animals. EBS systems serve as alert systems for disease events, enabling epidemiologists to carry out early surveillance, including in zones that are poorly covered by official surveillance systems. Some of these EBS systems, such as PADI-web, integrate artificial intelligence and natural language processing (NLP) to improve automatic document classification and identify epidemiological events within articles. This article will provide examples of the day-to-day use of EBS systems in France.
Mathieu Roche
Sci-Tech
Analysis
05/26/25
10min read
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming animal health across the world. These tools enable early disease detection, personalised treatment and improved animal management. By analysing complex datasets, such tools optimise diagnostics, predict outbreaks and improve veterinary care. This article discusses real-world AI trends and case studies. As these technologies improve, their impact on animal health will continue to increase.
B. Dharmaveer Shetty
Blogpost
Opinion
05/19/25
5min read
What challenges do women face in animal health and how do they overcome them? Read Fernanda’s story of resilience and purpose.
Fernanda Moira Riveros Romero
Sci-Tech
Analysis
04/30/25
11min read
Animal health emergencies are increasingly frequent and complex, requiring Veterinary Services and Aquatic Animal Health Services to respond effectively. An emergency can be considered as a serious, and often dangerous, situation requiring immediate action.
Daniel Donachie
Sci-Tech
Analysis
04/18/25
9min read
While women now represent a majority in veterinary education and practice, their career progression is slower when compared to men’s, and they remain underrepresented in management positions within government, the industry and academia. Also, female veterinarians – similar to women working in other professions – often encounter structural and cultural barriers that hinder career progression, particularly in leadership roles and non-clinical settings [1,2].
Katinka de Balogh
Sci-Tech
Analysis
03/28/25
10min read
Globally, the veterinary profession is undergoing a significant gender-related shift, with more women entering the field – including in some developing countries in South-East Asia [1]. However, gender disparities in veterinary services persist across many sectors of animal health, particularly in regions like West Africa [2]. Women already play a pivotal role in animal care, comprising about two-thirds of the world’s animal owners, amounting to an estimated 400 million women globally.
Maryam Muhammad
Sci-Tech
Analysis
03/21/25
12min read
In the field of animal health and welfare, it may initially seem odd to include outcomes of foresight exercises to influence policies or strategies, especially when current policies are based on scientific evidence and draw from forecasting and disease modelling. However, in the face of complex and systemic health issues, scientific evidence alone may not be enough to galvanise action.
Thays Prado
Sci-Tech
Opinion
03/07/25
9min read
In 2022, a group of WOAH staff members set up the Gender Task Force (GTF) to start exploring and discussing the relevance of gender for the Organisation and its Members. Alongside studies documenting the circumstances of men and women in selected countries (Senegal, Togo and 12 nations in Asia), and activities during WOAH’s 90th General Session in May 2023 [1,2], the GTF secured funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation through the Systemic Action for Gender Equality (SAGE) programme to support the development of a gender strategy in 2025. This article explores the rationale and benefits of such an initiative.
Marlène Buchy
Sci-Tech
Analysis
04/30/25
11min read
Animal health emergencies are increasingly frequent and complex, requiring Veterinary Services and Aquatic Animal Health Services to respond effectively. An emergency can be considered as a serious, and often dangerous, situation requiring immediate action.
Daniel Donachie
Sci-Tech
Analysis
04/18/25
9min read
While women now represent a majority in veterinary education and practice, their career progression is slower when compared to men’s, and they remain underrepresented in management positions within government, the industry and academia. Also, female veterinarians – similar to women working in other professions – often encounter structural and cultural barriers that hinder career progression, particularly in leadership roles and non-clinical settings [1,2].
Katinka de Balogh
Sci-Tech
Analysis
03/28/25
10min read
Globally, the veterinary profession is undergoing a significant gender-related shift, with more women entering the field – including in some developing countries in South-East Asia [1]. However, gender disparities in veterinary services persist across many sectors of animal health, particularly in regions like West Africa [2]. Women already play a pivotal role in animal care, comprising about two-thirds of the world’s animal owners, amounting to an estimated 400 million women globally.
Maryam Muhammad
Sci-Tech
Analysis
03/21/25
12min read
In the field of animal health and welfare, it may initially seem odd to include outcomes of foresight exercises to influence policies or strategies, especially when current policies are based on scientific evidence and draw from forecasting and disease modelling. However, in the face of complex and systemic health issues, scientific evidence alone may not be enough to galvanise action.
Thays Prado
Sci-Tech
Opinion
03/07/25
9min read
In 2022, a group of WOAH staff members set up the Gender Task Force (GTF) to start exploring and discussing the relevance of gender for the Organisation and its Members. Alongside studies documenting the circumstances of men and women in selected countries (Senegal, Togo and 12 nations in Asia), and activities during WOAH’s 90th General Session in May 2023 [1,2], the GTF secured funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation through the Systemic Action for Gender Equality (SAGE) programme to support the development of a gender strategy in 2025. This article explores the rationale and benefits of such an initiative.
Marlène Buchy
Blogpost
Opinion
06/12/25
7min read
How do we transform unstructured data into tools for building stronger health systems? Veterinary epidemiologist shares insights.
Amélie Desvars-Larrive
Blogpost
Opinion
05/26/25
6min read
Animal diseases are spreading faster than ever; here are four key things you need to know from WOAH’s global report.
Susana Pombo
Blogpost
Opinion
04/25/25
6min read
The life of a veterinarian is both rewarding and challenging. What does it take to truly thrive as a veterinarian? Dr. Yasmin shares insights.
Dr. Yasmin Daradkeh
Blogpost
Opinion
04/25/25
3min read
How can teamwork help us safeguard animal health and take on the bigger health challenges facing the world today? Discover how.
Jean-Luc Angot
Blogpost
Story
04/17/25
6min read
Through visual storytelling, Matteo de Mayda reveals the fragile Venice lagoon and its deep connection to animal and human health. Discover more.
Matteo de Mayda
