World Zoonoses Day Public Statement

World Zoonoses Day (July 6) marks the anniversary of a major milestone in public health: the first successful vaccination against a zoonotic disease by Louis Pasteur in 1885. It serves as a reminder of what’s possible when veterinary medicine and public health work in tandem.

In recognition of the day, HealthforAnimals and the World Veterinary Association have issued a joint public statement on the importance of veterinary health for zoonotic disease prevention.

Key messages of the Statement are:

• Veterinarians are essential to preventing zoonotic outbreaks, yet many systems remain under-resourced.
• Vaccination is one of our most effective defenses, as they are cost-effective, proven, and capable of stopping disease.
• Momentum is growing, with the UN Political Declaration on AMR calling for national animal vaccination strategies by 2030 and the recent WOAH Forum on Vaccination.
• A standing public-private forum for vaccine dialogue that brings together governments, veterinarians, and developers can accelerate action, strengthen veterinary systems, and help countries meet that 2030 commitment. This idea was recently endorsed in a resolution by WOAH Members.

The full Statement can be downloaded at the link below.