43 Introduction
neconnolly
Across the globe, human populations are struggling to manage disease outbreaks. Highly pathogenic avian influenza is decimating poultry populations in North America, Ebola outbreaks are occurring in Central Africa, and seasonal influenza infection rates are at their highest level in the past 15 years. (NC)
These scenarios are not new to us. Throughout history, humanity has been affected by outbreaks of zoonotic disease. Historians have discovered reports of ‘mad dogs’ spreading disease (likely rabies) in the 18th century BC. The Bible describes plagues brought upon by over populations of mice. More recently, viruses jumped from bat populations to humans, leading the outbreak of the global COVID-19 pandemic. (NC)
Today, nearly 60% of emerging infectious diseases are zoonoses, posing a serious threat to the health of humans and animals in the environments that surround us. (NC)
The CDC defines zoonotic diseases as “caused by germs that spread between animals and people”. The many different animals we interact with in our daily lives – pets, farm animals, wild animals, and even the animal products we consume – provide potential for exposure to a zoonotic disease. (NC)