Global Wildlife Health Monitoring Falls Short, Study Reveals

October 12, 2026

A new study highlights critical gaps in wildlife health surveillance across 107 countries.

Nearly 60% of the surveyed nations lack functional systems to monitor disease outbreaks among wildlife, leaving ecosystems and human populations exposed to potential pandemics. The absence of robust local networks exacerbates this vulnerability, as it hinders early detection and rapid response capabilities crucial for containing emerging threats.

The study calls for a stronger global framework to improve monitoring and prevent future health crises.

Without enhanced surveillance, the risk of zoonotic diseases spilling over into human populations remains high, posing long-term ecological and public health risks.

What is the long-term climate outlook for this region?

The lack of wildlife disease monitoring systems could lead to more frequent outbreaks as ecosystems change. Improved local networks are essential to mitigate these risks and protect both biodiversity and human health.

Enhanced surveillance is crucial for a positive outlook.

Read the full story here:

Wildlife disease surveillance at global scale needs stronger local networks: Study

A recent study has proposed a road map for countries to better monitor wildlife health and disease outbreaks. Previous research found that nearly 60% of the 107 countries it surveyed showed no evidence of a functional wildlife health surveillance system. This leaves ecosystems, agriculture, and human populations vulnerable to catastrophic outbreaks, the researchers say. The […]

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