Rising instability together with weak veterinary services pose a threat to world security

OIE Director General Bernard Vallat urges BWC Members to strengthen Veterinary Services as key players for animal health surveillance, response and biosafety

Press Release

Geneva, 10 December 2012 – The Director General of the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), Dr Bernard Vallat called for action against the rising threat that animal pathogens pose to the world’s security at the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) Meeting of States Parties.

Accidental or deliberate release of animal pathogens can have disastrous repercussions for public health, economies, and social stability because 60% of human infectious diseases originate from animals (zoonoses) and, infectious diseases of animals also cause huge losses to agriculture. Because of these impacts, most agents that can be used for bioweapons are animal pathogens.

Effective surveillance, early detection and rapid response mechanisms for animal diseases that comply with OIE international standards are the most effective defense against any infectious animal disease outbreak, whether the cause is natural, accidental or intentional. OIE Laboratory Standards for bio risk management will also protect against accidental release of pathogens from laboratories and guard against pathogens falling into the wrong hands.

Dr Vallat said: “The best way to protect the entire world from rising bio-threats linked with animal pathogens is to ensure that all national Veterinary Services comply with OIE international standards on quality. This must be a basis for bio risk management policies.”

Unfortunately today, the quality of surveillance and response mechanisms for animal diseases varies from country to country, and in our globalized world weaknesses in one country pose a threat to all others...

Source: Rising instability together with weak veterinary services pose a threat to world security
Author: World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE)