For 100 years, the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) has been working internationally to provide information on outbreaks of animal diseases as quickly as possible in order to prevent their spread. This includes zoonoses and, since 2002, animal welfare. Among the 183 WOAH member countries is Germany, where the Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut (FLI), as the Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, is an active member of the WOAH community.
The FLI acts as the Collaborating Centre for Zoonoses in Europe and supports the core group of the WOAH Collaborating Centre Network for Wildlife Health. In addition, the WOAH reference laboratories for avian influenza, bee diseases, bovine herpesvirus type 1 infection, bovine viral diarrhoea, brucellosis, chlamydiosis, koi herpesvirus disease, Newcastle disease, glanders, rabies and tulara at the FLI make a vital contribution to the monitoring and control of animal diseases and zoonoses worldwide. For example, the FLI supported the first rabies vaccine baiting programme for wild dogs. FLI also provides expertise to the OFFLU network, an expert group on animal influenza viruses of the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) and the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO).
Another example of international collaboration is the participation of the Past FLI President in the One Health High-Level Expert Panel (OHHLEP). This panel serves as an advisory group to the quadripartite organisations FAO, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), WHO and WOAH. Together with Prof. Dr Wanda Markotter, Head of the Centre for Viral Zoonoses at the University of Pretoria, South Africa, Prof. Dr Dr H.c. mult. Thomas Mettenleiter is the founding chair, helping to strengthen global efforts towards an integrative health strategy.
Congratulations on your centenary, WOAH!
