Preventing zoonotic disease transmission requires addressing the conditions that drive spillover — wildlife habitat loss, live animal markets, and intensive farming — which are also animal welfare concerns.
Zoonotic disease prevention and animal welfare improvement are deeply aligned goals. The conditions that facilitate pathogen spillover — overcrowded markets, deforested edges, factory farm stress — are also conditions of poor animal welfare. Improving animal welfare by reducing crowding, eliminating unnecessary human-wildlife contact, preserving natural habitat, and improving farm conditions simultaneously reduces zoonotic risk. This convergence means that animal welfare advocates and public health communities have strong common cause.