IUCN and WOAH release updated guidelines to improve wildlife disease surveillance and mitigate risks to human health and biodiversity.

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) have jointly released updated guidelines for the surveillance of diseases, pathogens, and toxic agents in free-ranging wildlife.

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Aimed at wildlife authorities and professionals working with wildlife, these guidelines are designed to improve disease monitoring, enhance biodiversity protection, and mitigate potential risks to human health.

The release comes as the global health community continues to emphasise the importance of surveillance in preventing zoonotic diseases—diseases that can transfer from animals to humans.

According to experts, over 60% of human pathogens are zoonotic, yet while domestic animals are regularly monitored, wildlife disease surveillance remains significantly underdeveloped.

The IUCN Red List identifies disease as a major threat to species survival. The updated guidelines address this gap by outlining a comprehensive approach to wildlife surveillance, offering tools to understand and manage the risks posed by wildlife diseases.

These diseases not only affect biodiversity but also contribute to emerging infectious diseases, which have become more prevalent as biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation increase.

Wildlife Surveillance: A Key to Safeguarding Public Health and Biodiversity

The new guidelines align with the One Health Joint Plan of Action—a collaborative initiative involving the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), World Health Organization (WHO), and WOAH.

This plan highlights the interconnectedness of human, animal, and ecosystem health and advocates for the protection and restoration of biodiversity to prevent ecosystem degradation and support global health.

Wildlife surveillance involves various methods, including active, passive, event-based, and sentinel monitoring. These approaches cater to different needs, from systematic data collection to rapid detection of unusual health events.

Rangers, hunters, local communities, and Indigenous Peoples are recognised as vital contributors due to their direct interactions with wildlife and their ability to detect changes in animal health.

Effective surveillance goes beyond sample collection; it requires careful planning, coordination, and training. According to the guidelines, only authorised and qualified personnel should collect biological samples to maintain ethical standards and minimise the risk of spreading diseases.

Informed and coordinated actions among stakeholders can prevent harmful consequences, such as unnecessary wildlife killings or habitat destruction driven by fear.

Implementing Comprehensive Wildlife Disease Surveillance

The updated guidelines, the first revision since 2015, provide a detailed framework for creating effective surveillance programs.

This includes setting clear objectives, involving relevant stakeholders, choosing appropriate strategies, and ensuring that the programs are cost-effective. The guidelines also emphasise the importance of adhering to safety, biosafety, ethical, and legal standards, respecting local customs, and ensuring animal welfare.

By incorporating wildlife disease surveillance into a broader One Health approach, countries can meet both national and international obligations. WOAH Members, for example, are required to report on listed and emerging diseases.

The guidelines offer essential knowledge for navigating the complexities of wildlife disease monitoring, helping authorities safeguard ecosystems and public health.

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As the global community continues to face the challenges of emerging diseases and biodiversity loss, these updated guidelines provide a critical tool for designing effective, evidence-based wildlife surveillance programs that align with national and international priorities.

Rtn. Victor Ojelabi

Ojelabi, the publisher of Freelanews, is an award winning and professionally trained mass communicator, who writes ruthlessly about pop culture, religion, politics and entertainment.