The Global Early Warning System (GLEWS+) is a joint initiative by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH).
These global organizations combine their expertise, data, and networks to create a cross-sectoral system that provides robust and timely joint risk assessments for health threats emerging at the human–animal–ecosystem interface.
GLEWS+ enhances early warning capability by connecting information from animal health, human health, and environmental systems. It is a major step in supporting proactive preparedness, early detection, and coordinated response to global health risks.
The system brings together FAO, WHO, and WOAH’s monitoring and verification processes, enabling real-time information sharing.
Animal outbreaks may indicate early warning for human health, and vice versa. GLEWS+ links networks across sectors to detect health events faster.
- Inform rapid response actions
- Provide risk management advice
- Support stakeholder coordination
- Improve risk communication
- Within the three organizations (FAO, WHO, WOAH)
- With countries and territories
- With the international community
Our partners
Collaboration is at the heart of GLEWS+. Our platform is powered by the tripartite partnership of FAO, WHO and WOAH, leveraging their collective global networks, data systems and expertise.
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
FAO contributes its worldwide animal-health surveillance systems, field networks, and technical leadership in animal production and food security.
It supports:
- Monitoring and reporting of transboundary animal disease events and zoonosis through the EMPRES Global Animal Disease Information System (EMPRES-i+) database
- Coordination with national veterinary services
- Capacity building in animal health and livestock sectors
- Analysis of disease trends affecting food systems
Focus area: Animal health, livestock production, food and agriculture systems.
World Health Organization (WHO)
WHO brings expertise in public health, zoonotic diseases, and global outbreak response.
Its contribution includes:
- Human disease surveillance and early-warning systems
- Epidemiological analysis for zoonotic and foodborne threats
- Coordinating public-health advisories and international health regulations (IHR)
- Supporting countries during outbreaks with medical and public-health guidance.
Focus area: Human health, zoonotic risk assessment, outbreak preparedness and response.
World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH)
WOAH provides official disease notifications from countries and territories and provides international standards for animal disease surveillance and reporting.
It contributes through:
- The World Animal Health Information System (WAHIS)
- Global networks of experts
- Verification and publication of official animal disease information
- Development, publication and implementation of international animal-health and welfare standards
Focus area: International standards on animal health and welfare, animal disease monitoring, veterinary services support, international reporting standards.
Funders
Funding support for the GLEWS+ website.
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