animal health

Scientists are developing new methods to control mosquitoes as climate change lengthens mosquito season and expands the range of disease-carrying species. The mosquito kills more people than any other animal on earth, spreading diseases such as malaria and dengue, and longer warm seasons give the insects more time to transmit dangerous illnesses. Climate researchers warn the public health threat is growing.

Pakistan and China have jointly launched a livestock disease laboratory in Luoyang, China, marking a new step in bilateral scientific cooperation on animal health. The facility is expected to support joint research, disease surveillance and vaccine development for livestock, areas of shared economic importance to both countries given the scale of their agricultural sectors.

A survey suggests most health professionals believe key plant foods are underrepresented in official dietary guidelines. The finding points to a gap between what practitioners recommend for health and what national nutrition advice currently emphasises, with whole plant-based foods such as legumes, nuts and whole grains often receiving less prominence than animal products in public guidance.

Health and wildlife experts are warning that rabies has re-emerged in mainland Europe, raising concerns about how the virus spread and what measures can stop it. Commentary focuses on the causes of the return and the steps needed to contain outbreaks and protect both people and animals.

The Second Ibero-American Symposium on Ethnoveterinary Medicine is drawing attention, with the Food and Agriculture Organization among those highlighting the event. The gathering brings together researchers and practitioners from across Ibero-America to discuss traditional and plant-based approaches to animal health, and how such knowledge can complement conventional veterinary practice.