A One Health Approach to Reducing Livestock Disease Prevalence in Developing Countries: Advances, Challenges, and Prospects

Abstract

Challenges in livestock production in developing countries are often linked to a high disease prevalence and may be related to poor husbandry, feeding, and nutrition practices, as well as to inadequate access to preventive veterinary care. Structural barriers including chronic poverty, gender roles, inadequate supply chains, and limitations in surveillance infrastructure further complicate progress. Despite many challenges, the livestock sector substantially contributes to agricultural GDP, and reducing livestock disease prevalence is a goal for many countries. One Health initiatives that work across disciplines and sectors to reduce livestock diseases are underway around the world and use integrated approaches that consider the connections between humans, animals, and their shared environments. The growing recognition of the role livestock play in sustainability and livelihoods, as well as their involvement in zoonotic disease transmission and global health security, has highlighted the need for disease reduction strategies as described in this review.

Keywords

livestock; One Health; zoonotic disease; vaccine; community engagement

Published in

Annual review of animal biosciences
2025, volume: 13, pages: 277-302
Publisher: ANNUAL REVIEWS

SLU Authors

• Chenais, Erika

  • Department of Animal Biosciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    
  • National Veterinary Institute (SVA)

UKÄ Subject classification

Animal and Dairy Science

Publication identifier

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-animal-111523-102133

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/141107