Welfare Science

Zoonotic Disease Animal and Human Welfare Connections

Zoonotic diseases emerge at the human-animal interface and are linked to conditions that compromise both animal and human welfare in interconnected ways.

Key Facts

75% of new human infectious diseases are zoonotic, originating in animals
Factory farming, live animal markets, and habitat destruction all increase zoonotic spillover risk
Animals in conditions of poor welfare have compromised immune systems and higher disease burden
One Health approaches link animal, human, and environmental health in integrated policy
Improving animal welfare in farming and wildlife trade reduces pandemic risk

Welfare Considerations

Animal welfare and pandemic prevention are deeply interconnected; improving conditions for animals in agriculture and the wildlife trade simultaneously protects human health.

What You Can Do

Support One Health policy approaches linking animal and human welfare
Advocate for reform of live animal markets and intensive farming conditions
Follow developments in zoonotic disease research and pandemic prevention