The World Organisation for Animal Health: notification of animal diseases

In a globalised world, accurate, complete and timely notification of the presence of animal diseases plays a crucial role in international trade. It allows countries at risk to take appropriate action to prevent the spread of transboundary diseases or minimise their impact, and thus mitigate the associated risks to animal and public health. In this context, the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) is responsible for rapidly and transparently sharing accurate and complete information on the global animal health situation. To do so, it collects, verifies, validates and disseminates the animal health information provided by its Members. Information on animal diseases, including zoonoses, is notified to the OIE in compliance with legally binding instruments between the OIE and its Members. Since the creation of the OIE in 1924, the type of animal disease information to be notified and the communication channels for its subsequent distribution to Members have been standardised and improved over time, taking advantage of the available tools and methods of mass dissemination of information. The continuous improvement of the OIE disease notification process has had positive effects, both in terms of animal disease prevention, control and eradication at a global level, and by facilitating the international trade of animals, their products and by-products.