Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak
For updates on novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and details on human health, please refer to the World Health Organization (WHO).
FAO News March 2020
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is working closely with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) to assist member countries and research communities in identifying potential animal hosts of this virus and reduce spillover events to humans. At this point in time, however, the highest risk of COVID-19 spread is through human-to-human transmission and this outbreak requires coordinated actions and determination to contain the spread of the virus at national, regional and global levels. WHO is the authority and primary source of information regarding the human health aspects of this outbreak.
What is FAO doing with regard to the current outbreak?
Monitoring and sharing information
FAO is monitoring and sharing information on the disease situation through its emergency prevention systems and its experts advise on prevention and control measures to support veterinary services.
Coordinating action with partners
FAO is coordinating prevention, preparedness and detection activities in animals, in liaison with WHO and OIE using the One Health approach. The One Health vision is a unifying force to safeguard human and animal health, to reduce disease threats and to ensure a safe food supply through effective and responsible management of natural resources. In particular, FAO has activated an incident coordination group that brings together global, regional and country specialists to discuss the situation and ensure coordinated awareness and activities.
FAO is part of the OIE COVID-19 external advisory group on animal surveillance, and is liaising with its reference centres and laboratory networks in Asia to strengthen laboratory detection and provide guidance on biosafety and biosecurity.
Stepping up preparedness
The Joint FAO and the International Atomic Energy Agency Division of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture is working, through its veterinary diagnostic laboratory network in 64 countries, to ensure readiness to rapidly detect SARS-CoV-2 (the virus) in animals as well as to conduct thorough surveillance of virus circulation in the environment. This includes providing emergency diagnostic kits and training courses for veterinary and medical experts from Africa and Asia. Training will cover scientific knowledge and hands-on experience using nuclear technologies as part of response to outbreaks.
FAO is providing equipment and deploying experts to support the ongoing investigations and agriculture-based livelihood assessments in its efforts to inform a response to alleviate the effects of the epidemic.
FAO is ready to support countries in their efforts to strengthen food hygiene. While COVID-19 is not known to be a food borne illness, usual good practice as regards handling of animals and good food hygiene throughout the food chain are essential for public health and will aid in the prevention and control of infectious diseases.
Key messages
- While there is ongoing speculation on the likely animal origin of the novel coronavirus (SARS-COV-2), to date, the spread and development of the current human epidemic is due to human-to-human transmission.
- There is no current evidence of dogs playing a role in the spread of COVID-19. As a general practice, when caring for any kind of animals, always wash your hands before and after you interact with them.
- The World Health Organization (WHO) is the authority and primary source of information regarding the human health aspects of this outbreak.
- Meat from healthy livestock that is cooked thoroughly remains safe to eat.
- People should not handle, slaughter, dress, sell, prepare or consume meat that originates from wild animals or livestock that are sick or that have died from unknown causes. Raw wild meat or uncooked dishes based on the blood of wild animals should not be consumed. These practices place people at high risk of contracting any number of infections.
- Any unusual morbidity or mortality of animals should be reported to the animal health authorities.
- FAO is fully engaged in the multisectoral coordination at the national, regional and international levels through the activation of an FAO Incident Coordination Group.
- FAO is working with partners to assist member countries and research communities in identifying potential animal hosts of this virus and reduce spillover events to humans
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