Topic:
Country: Ethiopia
Delegate Name: Samaira Agarwal
Committee: ECOSOC
Topic: The Spread of Animal Virus
Country Ethiopia
School: Portage Central High School
Animal Virus is Any infectious disease that is naturally transmitted from animal to human. The spread of animal viruses in Ethiopia poses significant challenges to both public health and agricultural productivity, with far-reaching implications for food security and economic stability. Ethiopia’s diverse livestock population, including cattle, sheep, goats, and camels, plays a crucial role in the livelihoods of millions. However, the close interactions between livestock and humans, coupled with limited veterinary infrastructure and surveillance, create conditions conducive to the transmission of zoonotic diseases. Addressing these issues is essential for protecting both Ethiopia’s agricultural economy and the health of its communities.
The international community has made strides in addressing animal viruses and zoonotic diseases through initiatives such as the World Organization for Animal Health’s (WOAH) Global Animal Disease Information System (EMPRES-i), which has improved disease surveillance globally, including in East Africa. The WHO-OIE-FAO Tripartite Collaboration has emphasized a “One Health” approach, integrating human, animal, and environmental health. The Global Framework for the Progressive Control of Transboundary Animal Diseases (GF-TADs) has provided technical support and capacity-building for regions like Africa, while international partnerships have advanced vaccine development for diseases such as Rift Valley Fever. Despite these efforts, implementation in Ethiopia is constrained by resource limitations, fragmented coordination, and underdeveloped infrastructure.
Ethiopia has taken proactive steps to combat animal viruses through national strategies and policies. The Livestock Master Plan (LMP) seeks to modernize the livestock sector by improving veterinary services, enhancing disease control mechanisms, and boosting productivity. The Animal Disease Prevention and Control Strategy focuses on surveillance, rapid response, and vaccination campaigns for diseases like FMD and RVF. Additionally, Ethiopia collaborates with regional organizations such as the African Union Interafrican Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) to strengthen veterinary capacity. However, persistent challenges, including underfunding, low vaccination coverage, and insufficient diagnostic infrastructure, undermine the effectiveness of these initiatives.
To address these challenges, Ethiopia proposes a comprehensive set of solutions under the One Health framework. First, Ethiopia calls for international support to build veterinary capacity, including training for veterinarians and technicians and improving access to diagnostic tools in rural areas. Second, strengthening disease surveillance systems is essential to enable early detection and reporting, which can be bolstered by cross-border collaboration with neighboring countries. Third, Ethiopia seeks to promote vaccine development and distribution by partnering with international organizations to scale up vaccine production for diseases such as FMD and RVF while subsidizing vaccine costs to ensure affordability for smallholder farmers. Additionally, public awareness campaigns are vital to educate farmers about biosecurity measures and safe handling practices for livestock and animal. Finally, Ethiopia emphasizes the need for increased international funding and collaboration, including technical and financial assistance from organizations such as WHO, WOAH, and the African Development Bank (AfDB), as well as public-private partnerships to foster investments in the livestock sector.Ethiopia reaffirms its commitment to combating animal viruses through strengthened national policies, robust international cooperation, and a unified One Health approach. The delegation urges Member States and organizations to recognize the critical link between animal health, human health, and sustainable development, especially for vulnerable nations. Through collaborative action, we can build resilient systems to prevent future outbreaks, safeguard public health, and secure livelihoods for millions of people.
