Animal virus new global threat

Warning that increased mobility of viruses and their carriers across the countries is emerging as a “new global threat”, the United Nations has asked the international community to invest more in surveillance and control measures to check animal diseases.

Animal diseases are advancing globally, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) said on Tuesday while citing the example of mosquitoes which transmit major human diseases such as yellow fever, dengue and chickungunya reaching European countries from tropical regions and which “may constitute a major public health concern”.

“No country can claim to be a safe haven with respect to animal diseases,” warned FAO Chief Veterinary Officer Joseph Domenech in a statement, adding that the “new threat” should be taken seriously.

Globalisation, the movement of people and goods, tourism, urbanization and probably also climate change are favouring the spread of animal viruses around the planet, FAO noted.

Agency