[The fight against epizootics in the 21st Century]

The fight against epizootics is today better organized. The tools, methods and strategies used work well and are constantly being improved, which is necessary since disease epidemiology is evolving extremely fast, dominated by a growing complexity associated to global changes and the emergence of new pathologies. The foundation of the strategy is still based on a permanent epidemiological surveillance and the immediate use of appropriate measures. Among the essential prerequisites there is the existence of effective veterinary services, for which support programmes have been developed, notably by the OIE, which is also responsible for the definition of the norms applicable in animal health. Three examples of control programmes against major epidemics are discussed here: Rinderpest (declared eradicated worldwide in 2011), Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (H5N1), and Foot and Mouth Disease.