The need to fight animal diseases at the global level led to the creation of the Office International des Epizooties by an international agreement signed on January 25th 1924. In May 2003, the Office became the World Organization for Animal Health but kept its historical acronym OIE. The OIE - World Organisation for Animal Health is the inter-governmental organization responsible for improving animal health worldwide.

It is recognized as a reference organization by the World Trade Organization (WTO) and in 2010, has a total of 176 Member Countries and Territories. The OIE maintains permanent relations with 36 other international and regional organizations and has regional and sub-regional offices on every continent.

Contact point in The Bahamas for the OIE:

Dr. Maurice Isaacs
E-mail: mauriceisaacs@bahamas.gov.bs