Which disease outbreak prompted the formation of the OIE?

• A. Rinderpest
• B. Foot-and-Mouth Disease
• C. Rift Valley Fever
• D. Surra

Answer: (A)

Rinderpest outbreaks showed how quickly a cattle disease could cross borders and devastate economies, flagging the need for international cooperation in animal health. In 1924, representatives from many countries met in Paris and established the Office International des Epizooties to formalize information sharing, standardize diagnostics, and coordinate vaccination and control measures across nations. That cooperative framework laid the foundation for ongoing surveillance and response to transboundary animal diseases worldwide. While other diseases like foot-and-mouth disease, Rift Valley fever, and Surra are now core concerns of the organization, the impetus to create the international body came from rinderpest.