An Overview of Transboundary Animal Diseases of Viral Origin in South Asia: What Needs to Be Done?

Simple Summary The Transboundary Animal Diseases (TADs) are highly transmissible epidemic diseases of livestock which have the capability for rapid spread to new areas and regions regardless of national borders. The TADs are a major threat to livestock of any nation as they have the potential to cause large-scale damage, staking the food security of the country, and can cripple the nation's economy significantly by direct loss in the form of disease conditions and deaths in affected population or indirectly due to required counter epizootic measures, loss in trade and probable zoonotic transmission. South Asian countries are more vulnerable to the introduction of Transboundary Animal Diseases (TADs) because people continue to move commodities and animals across borders. In addition to South Asian countries, TADs like Peste des Petits Ruminants, Avian Influenza, Foot-and-Mouth Disease, Lumpy Skin Disease and African Swine Fever are generating significant economic losses worldwide. Livestock diseases can result in significant losses for farmers' subsistence and have a negative impact on the nation's economy. The existing policies need a review in the light of recent understanding of drivers of emergence and re-emergence of transboundary animal diseases. Hence, there is a need for a critical review of the existing policies that regulate the preparedness for the prevention of TADs. Rapid diagnosis, surveillance, immunisation, and coordination among all the South Asian countries. The present study focuses on the state of several TADs in South Asia and provides plans of action and suggestions that the scientific community and authorities on animal health might implement. Transboundary animal diseases (TADs) pose a serious threat to the sustainability and economic viability of the existing animal agriculture ecosystem in south Asia. The rapid spread of African swine fever and lumpy skin diseases in south Asia must be considered a wake-up call to prevent the entry, spread, and establishment of new exotic TADs, as south Asia has the highest density of livestock populations, and it will have a huge socioeconomic impact. Regional cooperation for the prevention and control of TADs is necessary, but rational decisions should be made to initiate even sub-regional cooperation in the present geopolitical situation. Cross-border collaboration for surveillance, early warnings, and animal movement control should be encouraged on a bilateral or multilateral basis as many countries share a porous border. Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), peste des petits ruminants (PPR), and avian influenza (AI) have been identified as regional priority TADs, and many regional and country initiatives have been undertaken in the last two decades that need to be translated into action. The incursion of exotic TADs into south Asia has compelled us to rethink overall policies and strategies for prevention and control of TADs. This paper took into consideration six emerging and endemic TADs of viral origin to suggest a future course of action.

Automated summary

Transboundary Animal Diseases (TADs) are highly contagious livestock epidemic diseases that can rapidly spread across national borders. TADs pose a major threat to livestock and can cause significant damage to food security and the economy. South Asian countries are particularly vulnerable to TADs due to the movement of commodities and animals across borders. Diseases such as Peste des Petits Ruminants, Avian Influenza, Foot-and-Mouth Disease, Lumpy Skin Disease, and African Swine Fever are causing economic losses worldwide. Livestock diseases have a negative impact on farmers' livelihoods and the nation's economy. There is a need for a critical review of existing policies to ensure preparedness and prevention of TADs, including rapid diagnosis, surveillance, immunization, and coordination among South Asian countries. Regional cooperation and cross-border collaboration are necessary to control the spread of TADs, particularly for diseases like Foot-and-Mouth Disease, Peste des Petits Ruminants, and Avian Influenza. The paper suggests a future course of action to address the emerging and endemic TADs in South Asia.