Trend Emergence and recurrence of animal diseases rising

Summary

The report defines animal disease as a disruption of an animal's normal functions caused by infection, genetic defects, toxins or nutritional deficiencies, and it adds that although outbreaks are often acute, disease can be a chronic burden on environmental and human health, the economy, trade and food security. Diseases pass through many routes, including contact with infected tissue or fluids, airborne droplets, insect vectors, and contaminated objects, food or water. Growing global trade, more contact between livestock and wildlife, weak biosecurity on farms and poor farming practices all raise disease risk. According to the report, the emergence and recurrence of animal diseases worldwide have increased over recent decades despite progress in detection, prevention and treatment. Such outbreaks affect public trust and consumer behaviour and can cause serious mental health problems for those directly involved, such as farmers and vets.