Year of publication 2024

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Place of publication Rome, Italy ;

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Pages 9

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Publisher FAO ;

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Product type Project

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Synopsis (short abstract) Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020 with its quick worldwide spread, which turned it into a global public health threat with over 6.9 million deaths, the impact that infectious diseases of animal origin can exert on global health and development with severe and long-term negative effects has become rapidly visible. The need to strengthen capacities to prevent, detect, and manage the likely transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and other emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases at animal, human and ecosystem interface turned into a global priority. Coronaviruses, which are known to infect mammals including different livestock species, are usually very specific to their host, but in the case of SARS-CoV-2, it is suspected to have originated in bats before spreading from human to human. While no evidence of circulation among livestock was collected, potential risks of spreading of SARS-CoV-2 through livestock could not be denied in the onset of the emergency. As of September 2023, the African continent had registered over 9.5 million reported cases and over 175 000 deaths, adding an additional burden on countries already suffering from poverty, unemployment, malnutrition and hunger. The animal health sector was assessed as being particularly vulnerable and requiring additional support to strengthen national prevention and response systems.

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Language English

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Also available in:

• French

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