The risk of intentional animal disease biothreats to society – and what we can do about it

The far-reaching effects of animal disease outbreaks, and why the sector is vulnerable

Outbreaks of animal diseases can have significant and far-reaching effects. They can devastate industries and communities, influence trade, impact food security and even threaten national and regional economic as well as political stability. This puts the animal health sector at significant risk of biothreats.  

At the same time, the nature of livestock and aquaculture production systems make them vulnerable to biothreats, for a range of complex and interrelated reasons. While farming systems vary significantly between species, production types and countries, they are almost universally complex and interconnected, making the rapid spread of diseases feasible and tracing difficult. Intensive production systems increase rapidity of transmission within populations, while animals in extensive production systems may not have their health closely monitored, allowing for smouldering undetected infections.   

The cross-border movement of animals and disease vectors creates additional challenges for disease control efforts, and so do areas where wild and farmed environments share borders (such as between aquaculture and wild aquatic populations).  

At the same time, veterinary services are almost universally less resourced than public health services. This further exacerbates challenges with timely disease detection and response, limits ongoing surveillance, and undermines the fundamental understanding of pathogens and their pathogenesis, transmission and epidemiology that is crucial to rapid and effective response. 

In relation to biothreats specifically, interactions between veterinary and security services are not routinely as well developed nor coordinated responses as well practiced as between public health and law enforcement. This has the potential to make outbreak responses slower and less effective in these situations.  

Even within the animal health sector, mention of ‘biothreat’ conjures thoughts of release of a high-profile pathogen such as foot and mouth disease, or the re-emergence an eradicated disease such as rinderpest. While outbreaks of these diseases undoubtedly have significant impact, the risk of less well characterised pathogens – such as those newly detected in either wildlife or production species – remains dangerously overlooked. 

As an example, aquaculture is unlikely to be high on first production systems considered susceptible for biothreats, but it provides unique challenges and risks. Aquaculture is globally the fastest growing food production system, with high fish consumption in some developing countries and island countries, making it a potential high impact target. As highlighted by ex-WOAH Director General Monique Eloit in the WOAH Aquatic Animal Health Strategy 2021-2025, veterinary services are often presented with disease events in aquatic farming systems for which there is limited knowledge, rudimentary diagnostic tools and non-existent control mechanisms.  

While improvements across all these areas have been made through national, regional and international efforts, gaps remain. For example, imagine we detect a pathogen through whole genome sequencing. How can we determine if it is an endemic, regionally emerging or synthesised pathogen if we don’t have sequences to compare it with, due to an absence of disease surveillance? Or if we see presentation of novel signs in a species newly introduced to intensive production, how can we know if this is a result of increased production pressure or of an intentional act? And with limited knowledge of pathogenesis and host/pathogen interaction for these emerging diseases, how do we proactively develop mitigation strategies that can truly make a difference? 

Globally, efforts are underway to try to improve the animal sector’s preparedness against both natural and intentional biothreats. WOAH’s longstanding Performance of Veterinary Services (PVS) Pathway identifies gaps within veterinary and aquatic animal health services, helping authorities to advocate for future support. More than 140 countries have completed the Pathway to date, and it can identify opportunities to improve engagement with other sectors, for enhanced preparedness and response to both natural and intentional threats. 

Meanwhile, partnerships between the animal health, security and law enforcement sector are being strengthened at an international level, such as through coordinated activities between WOAH, FAO and Interpol. Similarly, national commitments of parties to the Biological Weapon Convention (BWC) to biological (and chemical) non-proliferation continue to be strengthened through international cooperative mechanisms, including the Australia Group. 

However, more still needs to be done.  

New innovations are emerging that support remote surveillance, such as environmental monitoring and remote sampling technologies. Improving the uptake of these innovations could enhance disease surveillance and reduce time for diagnosis, positively impacting responses to both natural and intentional events across borders.  

With specific respect to underrepresented and lesser-known threats, more fundamental and applied research and surveillance are critical to better understanding our ‘baseline’ of natural pathogens. This will ensure we have diagnostic tools and surveillance databases to rapidly assess threat type, and to inform better control and mitigation strategies for diseases in all animals – both terrestrial and aquatic. 

Indeed, in the context of emerging biothreats, the old adage, “knowledge is power” rings especially true. Only by deepening our understanding—through robust surveillance, research, and the sharing of information—can we empower animal health professionals and policy makers to detect threats early, respond effectively, and ultimately protect both lives and livelihoods. 

The Global Conference on Biological Threat Reduction will take place in Geneva on 28-30 October 2025. This is a valuable opportunity for individuals across the security, animal and public health sectors to come together to focus on the latest strategies, challenges and innovations in combating biological threats to our interconnected ecosystems. The conference will foster engagement across sectors, and explore a range of related topics, including the challenges posed by under-represented, lesser-known potential threats.