Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture

Agricultural Health

Where is animal health in Latin America headed?

Tiempo de lectura: 3 mins.

A new article, which features contributions by IICA and is available for free in the OIE’s Scientific and Technical Review, provides a detailed analysis of this topic.

The article analyzes the economics of sanitary transitions from endemic to disease-free status with respect to the most important diseases at the international level.

San Jose (IICA). The World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) has published a special edition of its Scientific and Technical Review focusing on The Economics of Animal Health, 18 years after issuing the previous edition devoted exclusively to this topic.

Although it was published in August 2017, the article was initially only available for purchase; it is now available for free on the website.

The publication includes an article that discusses the challenges facing veterinary services and analyzes the economics of the animal health transition currently underway in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC).

The article was written by Jaime Romero, Specialist in Agricultural Health and Food Safety (AHFS) at the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), and Hernán Rojas, Director of CERES BCA in Chile.

The article, entitled “Where to next with animal health in Latin America? The transition from endemic to disease-free status,” describes the singularities of livestock production in LAC and its improved health status over the past few decades.

The article also addresses the use of animal health economics tools and analyzes the economics of sanitary transitions from endemic to disease-free status with respect to the most important diseases at the international level.

In addition to presenting the challenges facing veterinary services and the economics of animal health, the article also stresses the importance of decision making, the use of available tools, public-private actions, and the creation and fair distribution of benefits based on the corresponding sanitary status.

IICA’s participation in preparing this article is one of the actions that the Institute has undertaken within the framework of AHFS, with the aim of strengthening capacities and improving official services across the hemisphere through the application of concepts and tools related to animal health economics.

The OIE’s Scientific and Technical Review is an indexed periodical publication that contains in-depth studies devoted to scientific and technical developments in animal health and veterinary public health, food safety and animal welfare.

This edition may be of interest to decision-makers in animal health services, scientists, financial donors and the staff of faculties of veterinary and related sciences. It may also be useful to non-governmental organizations dedicated to improving the health and welfare of animals, veterinarians and all those working in animal production and the processing and distribution of animal-derived food products.

 

More information:

Jaime Romero, IICA Specialist in Agricultural Health and Food Safety.

jaime.romero@iica.int

 

Share

Related news​

Sesión virtual sobre comercio justo reúne a jóvenes y especialistas en café para intercambiar conocimientos, fortalecer capacidades técnicas y promover cadenas de valor sostenibles.

San José, Costa Rica

June 8, 2026

Central American and Mexican youth are converting their ideas into sustainable businesses, with the support of IICA and the Latin American and Caribbean Fair-Trade Network

Armed with their ideas and the desire to transform their communities, thirty-five young people from Central America and Mexico began a journey, seeking to transcend entrepreneurship—building sustainable opportunities through fair trade.

Tiempo de lectura: 3mins

Ottawa, Canada

June 8, 2026

Agricultural Trade and Food Security Take Center Stage in Parliamentary Dialogue of the Americas Held in Ottawa

Speaking at Canada's Parliament, Dr. Jean-Charles Le Vallée shared perspectives on agricultural trade, food security and regional resilience with parliamentary leaders from across the Americas.

Tiempo de lectura: 3mins

San Jose, Costa Rica

June 5, 2026

IICA and UNNCD sign Memorandum of Understanding to advance land restoration and resilience in the Americas

The agreement will promote collaboration on sustainable land management, drought resilience, soil health and ecosystem restoration while supporting countries in translating global commitments into practical action.

Tiempo de lectura: 3mins