Zoonotic Disease Prevention and Animal Welfare

Most emerging infectious diseases originate in animals, and improving animal welfare conditions can reduce the risk of future pandemics.

Key Facts

An estimated 75 percent of emerging infectious diseases are zoonotic, originating in animals
COVID-19, SARS, MERS, Ebola, and avian influenza all have animal origins
Wet markets with live wild animals create conditions for pathogen spillover to humans
Factory farming with high animal density accelerates pathogen evolution and transmission
Reducing wildlife trade and improving livestock conditions lowers pandemic risk
WHO, FAO, and UNEP jointly promote One Health approaches linking animal and human disease

Welfare Considerations

The conditions that cause animal suffering — crowding, stress, poor hygiene, wildlife trade — are the same conditions that enable pathogen spillover to humans. Improving animal welfare is therefore pandemic prevention. Campaigns to end wildlife markets, reduce factory farm density, and strengthen veterinary capacity protect both animals and people.

What You Can Do

Support campaigns to end live wildlife markets and restrict the exotic wildlife trade
Advocate for improved biosecurity and lower stocking density in livestock farming
Follow One Health initiatives and support their funding
Reduce consumption of animal products from intensive systems to lower pandemic risk
Share information about the animal-pandemic connection with your network