The Global Health Security Agenda and the role of the World Organisation for Animal Health

The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) plays an important leadership role in global efforts to prevent, detect and respond to infectious disease threats. Since 1924, the OIE has helped Member Countries to prevent the spread of animal diseases, while facilitating safe agricultural trade. In recent years, the OIE has also increasingly focused on the biosecurity objectives of preventing unauthorised access to and loss, theft, misuse or diversion of dangerous pathogens, including their intentional release. Preventing the intentional introduction of animal disease is critical not only because of the significant economic impact that animal diseases can have on a nation's economy, but also because a number of animal diseases can affect humans. Over 60% of human diseases are of animal origin. Therefore, the OIE, working in conjunction with its partner organisations, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the World Health Organization, has become a leading international organisation for the control of global infectious disease in humans as well as in animals.