ZODIAC

In 2024, the Zoonotic Disease Integrated Action (ZODIAC) initiative continued to enhance Member States’ capacity to rapidly detect and respond to outbreaks. By the end of that year, a total of 151 Member States had designated ZODIAC National Coordinators and 129 Member States had ZODIAC National Laboratories (ZNLs).

A coordinated research project was initiated on enhancing laboratory preparedness in the detection, surveillance and control of emerging and re-emerging zoonotic diseases in the Asia and Pacific region. Activities under this project focused on the development of tests that (i) can be used on multiple species to detect viruses such as SARS-CoV-2 and lyssaviruses; (ii) can identify endemic zoonoses presenting similar symptoms, such as those causing abortion in livestock; and (iii) can detect viruses within a family, such as poxviruses.

Together with partners, the Agency has developed a cloud-based server platform for the ZODIAC Respiratory Disease Phenotype Observatory to enhance imaging data, processes and analysis for the improved detection and characterization of infectious respiratory diseases. The Observatory’s image repository platform, which uses AI and machine learning algorithms to analyse large datasets, was successfully tested and will start receiving curated imaging data.

Standard operating procedures for serology molecular diagnostics and the production of secondary standard reference materials were disseminated to ZNLs, and related hands-on training was provided by the Agency as and when required.

A real-time decision-making support platform is under development to digitalize animal health monitoring plans and to facilitate sample collection, testing and traceability reporting. In addition, a regional meeting on ZODIAC implementation in Africa was hosted by Morocco, bringing together 34 ZNLs to review achievements under the initiative and identify synergies with One Health initiatives.

The Agency continued to raise awareness in different forums — including events at the 8th World One Health Congress and the FAO Global Conference on Animal Health Innovation, Reference Centres and Vaccines — about how ZODIAC enhances Member States’ laboratory capacity in pandemic preparedness.