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

• Animal health epidemic intelligence report – Asia and the Pacific Q4 2025: 01/10/2025 – 31/12/2025

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

Project Impacts & Key Achievements

Since its inception, this initiative has driven major advancements in WOAH’s early warning capabilities, strengthening disease surveillance and fostering a culture of transparency across Asia and the Pacific.

The Project by the Numbers

• 1,000+ Local Sources Integrated – Encompassing regional newspapers, digital media outlets, Telegram channels and official documents compiled across 17 priority countries and territories in Asia and the Pacific to boost EIOS platform sensitivity.
• 72 Strategic Communications – Disseminated between January 2024 and March 2025, ensuring rapid information sharing and heightened situational awareness among regional WOAH Members.
• 19 Official WAHIS Reports – Directly supported and accelerated through active search data, facilitating timely official notifications to global veterinary authorities.
• Twice-Weekly Active Surveillance – Continuous, routine screening of open-source information executed by the AST Asia-Pacific to capture early outbreak signals.

A Robust, Four-Step Active Search Procedure

To transform open-source data into validated, actionable epidemiological intelligence, the AST Asia-Pacific applies a systematic workflow:

1. Search and Identification: Routine screening of thousands of open online feeds utilising the EIOS platform.
2. Authentication: Cross-referencing non-official intelligence with official data in WAHIS to identify discrepancies.
3. Triage: Evaluating the epidemiological relevance, urgency and potential impact of the detected threat.
4. Immediate Notification: Proactively engaging with the relevant countries and territories to verify crucial news signals and accelerate official reporting.

Elevating Regional Engagement & ‘One Health’ Collaboration

• Advancing the ‘One Health’ Mandate: WOAH plays an active role in the WHO-led EIOS initiative, leveraging open-source data and maintaining close operational links with partner organisations—including the FAO, WHO, INTERPOL and WOAH Reference Centres—for a unified, all-hazards approach to threat detection.
• Expanding Linguistic Sensitivity: The AST Asia-Pacific continues to systematically optimise the platform’s capabilities by refining priority disease categories and integrating local-language classifications widely spoken across the region.
• Driving High-Level Advocacy: The team has successfully raised the project’s profile and advocated for transparency by presenting milestones at key statutory events, including the Regional Commission for Asia and the Pacific Meeting (May 2025) and the Asia-Pacific Regional Conferences in New Delhi (November 2023) and Jakarta (September 2025).

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 and Analysis Department, WOAH Headquarters
Paris, France
[email protected] | +33 (0) 1 4415 1923 | WOAH