The Transmissible Diseases Handbook

EAZWV published the First Edition of the Transmissible Diseases Handbook in 2004, a milestone in the process of open sharing of information and European standardisation. The handbook factsheets summarise information on  diseases, including susceptible animal groups, zoonotic potential, distribution, transmission, clinical signs, pathology and post-mortem findings, diagnosis, treatment, prevention and control, legislative requirements  (especially according to European legislation) and a list of relevant diagnostic laboratories. Chapters in section 4 address key topics in management of specific infectious diseases, from tuberculosis to avian influenza.

The Fifth Edition of the TDH is currently under development by the Joint EAZWV/EAZA Infectious Diseases Working Group, and the database below will be updated as each chapter or fact sheet is completed. Please be advised some search options may still be incomplete, particularly susceptible species.

Don't miss:

• Chapter 3.2.1 Avian Influenza: Vaccination Update (updated December 2023)
• Chapter 3.6 SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 "Science Based Facts and Knowledge about Wild Animals, Zoos and SARS-CoV-2 Virus" (updated January 2022)
  

The database below also includes some fact sheets compiled by the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians (AAZV) for their 2019 edition. Both associations have a strong relationship and are committed to joining efforts and working towards a future joint edition.  

NEW! The EU Animal Health Law Handbook

In 2024 the Joint EAZWV/EAZA Legislation Working Group, in collaboration with the European Association of State Veterinary Officers, produced the EU ANIMAL HEALTH LAW AND CONFINED ESTABLISHMENTS - A Guidance Handbook to AHL Implementation in Zoos. Initially meant to be a chapter of the Transmissible Diseases Handbook, this project has grown to become an authoritative guidance that will serve the veterinarians and zoo professionals in charge of animal health, as well as the veterinarians responsible for AHL implementation. 

This handbook is available:

• As individual PDF sections (in Chapter 2) in the database below. These PDF sections will be updated as required and make up the updated handbook, with the latest additions, corrections and enhancements.
• As a single PDF, downloadable here.
• PRINT ON DEMAND copies are available here (website in Spanish*). Click here if buying from France or from Portugal.(* need assistance? Write us!)

The documents on this page are a joint project of EAZWV and the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria

OIE: disease included in the 2019 list of notifiable terrestrial and aquatic animal diseases of the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE)
BALAI: disease notifiable to the competent authorities of each Member State under Council Directive 92/65/EEC (BALAI Directive, superseded AHL)
AHL: disease notifiable to the competent authorities of each Member State under EU Regulation 2016/429 (Animal Health Law)