Epidemic intelligence in the Asia-Pacific region

Strengthening early threat warning in the region

Timely disease notification to World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) is essential for global health security, yet reporting challenges persist. Funded by Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (Australia DAFF) under WOAH’s 7th Strategic Plan (WOAH 7SP), this initiative aims to enhance early disease detection in the Asia-Pacific region by identifying and breaking down barriers to both terrestrial and aquatic disease reporting. By delivering targeted solutions to improve World Animal Health Information System (WAHIS) data collection, information sharing, and regional communication, we facilitate our Members and Partners to respond rapidly and effectively to emerging health threats.

The Active Search Team for Asia and the Pacific region (AST Asia-Pacific) was established to proactively detect early signs of regional disease threats. Utilising the WHO’s Epidemic Intelligence from Open Sources (EIOS) system, the AST Asia-Pacific continuously analyse online information as part of its active search activity (‘rumours tracking’ activity). When potential outbreaks are identified, the team reaches out to relevant countries and territories in the region to verify crucial news signals.

Operating under the guidance of WOAH headquarters, AST Asia-Pacific works closely with the World Animal Health Information Department (WAHID) and epidemiologists from the Data Integration Department (DID). All non-official intelligence gathered by AST Asia-Pacific is systematically cross-referenced with official data in the WAHIS. While EIOS is the primary tool for the regional team (at present), WOAH’s global epidemic intelligence network is multifaceted, integrating platforms such as the Global Early Warning and Response System (GLEWS) for zoonotic diseases.

Situation reports

As of September 2025, AST Asia-Pacific is publishing its first quarterly report on the animal disease situation in the Asia-Pacific region. These draw on a combination of official data from WAHIS and non-official information collected through WOAH’s epidemic intelligence initiative.

• Animal health epidemic intelligence report – Asia and the Pacific Q3 2025: 01/07/2025 – 30/09/2025

Consultancy report

This consultancy report—‘Identifying barriers to notification of terrestrial and aquatic animal diseases in Asia-Pacific’—investigates the primary obstacles to immediate disease reporting across the region and proposes targeted strategies to resolve them. By providing fresh insights into the drivers of successful notification, the study strongly advocates for a strengths-based approach to implementing its recommendations, ultimately aiming to cultivate a positive, shared culture of transparency.

• Full report

• Summary

• Promotional video

Gap analysis (for external distribution)

This summary report presents a gap analysis of the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) epidemic intelligence activities across the Asia-Pacific region. The primary objective is to identify gaps in disease detection capacity (from official and non-official sources) and reporting performances across the region’s 43 countries and territories, to establishing priority actions to enhance regional animal health threat detection capacity. The summary presented here reflects the situation in the region as of July 2024. It was developed as an initial step in designing the early threat warning support project. Key indicators will be updated in future reports.

• Gap analysis report

Impacts

This initiative has driven advancements in WOAH’s early warning systems and fostered greater transparency in disease reporting across the region by:

1. Reinforced early warning capabilities: It strengthened WOAH’s early warning systems in the Asia-Pacific region by integrating enhanced intelligence gathering, active search activities, and streamlined disease information sharing, in direct alignment with the objectives of the WOAH 7SP.
2. Effective active search activity: A robust steps active search procedure has been applied: 1) search and identification, 2) authentication, 3) triage and 4) immediate notification.
3. Comprehensive data collection and analysis: The Asia-Pacific active search team (AST Asia-Pacific) regularly gathers and analyses information from thousands of open online sources (news, social media, official reports) via EIOS platform, conducting this activity twice weekly.
4. Enhanced information dissemination: Between January 2024 and March 2025, the project contributed to 72 communications and 19 official reports submitted through WAHIS, ensuring timely sharing of information with Members and facilitating official notifications.
5. Increased regional engagement and transparency: The active search initiative has proven its value in early warning efforts by demonstrably improving transparency and Member engagement across the region. We successfully raised the project’s profile by presenting at key events, including Regional Commission Meetings (i.e., Regional Commission for Asia and the Pacific Meeting, May 2025) in the region, various regional workshops and training sessions, and two Asia-Pacific Regional Conferences (New Delhi, November 2023; and Jakarta, September 2025).
6. Active role in EIOS: WOAH plays an active part in the WHO-led EIOS initiative, leveraging open-source data and ongoing collaboration with partner organisations (e.g., FAO, WHO, INTERPOL, and WOAH Reference Centres) for a ‘One Health, all-hazards’ approach to threat detection. Additionally, the AST Asia-Pacific continues to boost the system’s sensitivity by integrating more local sources—such as regional news and social media—and adding new local language categories.

Ongoing and future activities

Building upon the strong foundation established in the first year, the project is ready for continued growth and impact. Key future priorities include:

• Enhanced early warning: Expanding the capacity of the AST Asia-Pacific to detect, respond and analyse to emerging threats.
• Strengthened collaboration: Fostering closer partnerships with regional WOAH Members and partners.
• Capacity building: Empowering WOAH Members and partners through targeted training and workshops (both in-person and online).

By focusing on these areas, the project will contribute to a more resilient and secure animal health landscape in the Asia and Pacific region.

Get involved

To support the project’s goals and contribute to a more secure animal health environment in Asia and the Pacific region, we encourage:

• WOAH Members: Active participation in data sharing, capacity building activities, and knowledge exchange.
• Non-WOAH members: Engaging with WOAH to access project resources and benefits.
• Partners and stakeholders: Collaborating on joint initiatives and leveraging complementary expertise.

By working together, we can strengthen early threat warning systems and protect animal health for the benefit of all.

Contact us

For more information about the project or to get involved, please contact:

Jacqueline Lusat
Animal Health Information Officer
WOAH Regional Representation for Asia and the Pacific
Tokyo, Japan.
[email protected] | +81 (0) 3 5805 1931 | WOAH Regional Representation for Asia and the Pacific

Paolo Tizzani
Senior Veterinary Epidemiologist
Data Integration Department, WOAH Headquarters
Paris, France
[email protected] | +33 (0) 1 4415 1923 | WOAH

We look forward to collaborating with you to strengthen early threat warning in Asia and the Pacific.