Signal WOAH lists 116 terrestrial and aquatic animal diseases

Summary

In describing the current state of animal disease, the report cites the list kept by the World Organisation for Animal Health. The organisation lists 116 infectious diseases of land and water animals. The report describes these diseases as having spread between countries and as naturally infecting people, with severe health consequences. It adds that since 1940 agricultural intensification has been linked to a large share of new infectious diseases, particularly zoonoses that cross into humans. About 60% of emerging human infectious diseases come from animals, with effects ranging from mild food poisoning to fatal illnesses such as rabies.