Welfare Science

Pig Welfare and Zoonotic Disease One Health

The connection between pig welfare and zoonotic disease prevention reflects the One Health principle linking animal, human, and environmental health.

Key Facts

High density pig farming creates conditions favorable for influenza virus reassortment
Pandemic influenza H1N1 in 2009 had an evolutionary history in intensive pig production
Reducing density and improving pig welfare reduces virus amplification opportunities
AMR in pig production contributes resistance that transfers to human healthcare settings
One Health frameworks integrate pig welfare improvement with public health protection

Welfare Considerations

Pig welfare improvement is not just an animal welfare issue - it is a public health investment. The conditions that cause animal suffering also create environments favorable for emerging disease and antimicrobial resistance.

What You Can Do

Support One Health approaches integrating pig welfare in public health policy
Advocate for pig production standards that reduce zoonotic disease risk
Engage food companies on their commitments to pandemic risk reduction through welfare improvement