We must invest in animal health to prevent future pandemics

The COVID-19 pandemic prompted conversations about the deep connection between animals, humans and the planet we share.

Three years on, the breakdown in this relationship continues to contribute to some of the biggest health threats we face today. Unsustainable human activity and the exploitation of nature means diseases are emerging from animals, and jumping to people and it has become clear that the health of animals directly impacts the health of humans.

Animal health systems in many parts of the world suffer the consequences of underinvestment. This risks the emergence of zoonotic diseases, anti-microbial resistance, and animal diseases that threaten livelihoods. An animal health system is the people, institutions and resources that deliver healthcare services to animals and their owners.

For instance, Pakistan has just 12 000 registered vets. The UK has twice as many, yet Pakistan has almost 10 times as many farm animals. Ghana estimates it needs 8 000 animal health practitioners to cater for its millions of livestock, but has just one tenth of these actually available.