The COVID-19 pandemic caused by a new coronavirus was a powerful reminder that certain human pathogens can generate health crises with global impact. The rapid spread of the virus caused millions of deaths, stretched health systems to their breaking points and disrupted global economies. Although they receive less attention, animal pathogens can have a similar or even greater impact, in particular those causing Transboundary Animal Diseases (TADs). These diseases, mostly affecting livestock, spread quickly across borders, posing an imminent threat to animal health, economies and food security.1,2 They result in the loss of hundreds of millions of animals leading to annual industry-wide damage of 48 to 330 billion USD.












