Status of the Global Burden of Animal Diseases program: methodology and applications

The Global Burden of Animal Diseases (GBADs) program was initiated in 2018, with the aim of systematizing the analysis and quantification of the economic impact of animal diseases worldwide. This article provides an overview of the methodological approach developed by the program to date, from estimating the biomass and economic value of livestock to the impact of animal diseases at the farm level and on national economies. Several case studies are presented to illustrate the different stages of the analysis: economic value, loss envelope, attribution of losses to specific causes, and impacts on society. These case studies cover different countries, Denmark, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Ireland, Senegal, South Africa, and Switzerland, and different animal species. An overview of the challenges and opportunities faced by the consortium is provided.<br/>