Signal About 60% of emerging human infectious diseases originate in animals

Summary

The report stresses that animal disease is directly tied to human health, stating that about 60% of emerging human infectious diseases start in animals. Since 1940, agricultural intensification has been linked to a large share of new infectious diseases, particularly zoonoses that cross into humans. Their effects range from mild cases such as food poisoning to deadly illnesses such as rabies. The report explains that agricultural workers face a higher risk from many zoonotic diseases, threatening their health and livelihoods. It also observes that some animal diseases are zoonotic and could trigger a pandemic like COVID-19, linking animal disease to the acute risk of an emerging infectious disease outbreak.