Strengthening global health security at the human-animal interface

75% of emerging pathogens are of zoonotic nature. Progress towards global health security requires a  greater focus on the interface between humans and animals and a strong collaboration between the human health and the animal health sectors. 

WHO works together with international organizations and national institutions in charge of animal health to improve the rapid detection of emerging pathogens and to ensure coordination in rapid control measures. By strengthening the contribution of the veterinary sector in the implementation of the IHR (2005), WHO and its partners propose guidance, methods, and tools to jointly review synergies and gaps in the coordination between the two sectors and to support countries in the operationalization of a multisectoral, One Health approach for global health security.

75 % of

emerging infections

in humans are transmitted from animals.

60% of the known

infectious diseases

in humans can be transmitted by animals.

About our work

Ongoing programmes

Newsletter

All →
The WHO Human-Animal Interface team and colleagues in Regional Offices are proud to present the Human-Animal Interface Newsletter for January - March 2025....

Publications

All →
Workforce development for effective management of zoonotic diseases: operational tool of the 'Tripartite zoonoses guide'

The “Workforce development for effective management of zoonotic diseases: an operational tool of the Tripartite Zoonoses Guide (WFD OT)" focuses...

Monitoring and evaluation for effective management of zoonotic diseases

Implementing a multisectoral, One Health approach for monitoring and evaluation (M&E) generates evidence for countries to inform more effective decision-making...

cover of the booklet, depicting animals and humans

In 2014, WHO and WOAH started to develop the National Bridging Workshop (NBW), bringing together human, animal and environment health sectors. The method...

Multisectoral coordination mechanisms operational tool: an operational tool of the tripartite zoonoses guide

Zoonotic diseases are transmitted between animals and people and impact health, livelihood and national and global health security. A multisectoral, One...

Peer reviewed articles

All →

News

All →