Zoonotic Disease at the Human-Animal Interface

Zoonotic diseases transmitted between animals and humans have welfare implications for both species; One Health approaches that protect animal welfare also reduce human disease risk.

Key Facts

75% of emerging infectious diseases in humans originate from animals
Industrial livestock farming creates conditions that facilitate influenza virus mutation and transmission
Wildlife trafficking creates concentrated animal-human contact that enables zoonotic spillover
Improving animal welfare in farming systems reduces pandemic risk alongside direct welfare benefit

Welfare Considerations

The relationship between animal welfare and zoonotic disease risk is becoming increasingly recognised as a One Health priority. Crowded, stressed animal populations in poor welfare conditions are more susceptible to disease and shed pathogens more extensively; high-throughput wildlife trade concentrates stressed animals from multiple sources creating ideal conditions for zoonotic spillover. Welfare improvements that reduce crowding and stress simultaneously reduce zoonotic disease transmission risk — creating a direct alignment between animal welfare improvement and human health protection.

What You Can Do

Support One Health approaches that address animal welfare and pandemic risk together
Advocate for wildlife trade restrictions that reduce zoonotic spillover risk
Raise awareness that animal welfare improvement is pandemic prevention policy