78 Global Impact of Zoonotic Diseases

Zoonotic diseases create substantial worldwide health challenges. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that zoonoses cause 60% of human infectious diseases and 75% of new emerging diseases (World Health Organization 2023). These diseases create major impacts on health as well as social structures and economic systems. The health burden from zoonotic diseases is greater in lower-income nations because these countries lack sufficient healthcare facilities and clean water resources and veterinary care (Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases 2016). The combination of global trade activities with deforestation and population expansion has raised both the occurrence and severity of zoonotic spillovers (Zoonotic Diseases and Emerging Health Threats 2023). Zoonotic threats demonstrate their ability to disrupt entire societies through pandemics such as COVID-19. The virus’s suspected origin in a wildlife market demonstrates why proper management of animal and human and environmental interactions remains essential (World Health Organization 2023). (E.B.)

Zoonotic diseases create multiple health risks that also lead to economic instability and healthcare system collapse and infrastructure vulnerabilities. The successful management of these diseases needs both domestic and international collaboration together with preparedness investments and policy backing for prevention programs that follow the One Health framework (Siedner et al. 2020). Zoonotic disease transmission has been significantly accelerated by international travel activities. The fast pace of globalization enables people and animals and goods to cross borders quickly which establishes multiple paths for pathogens to spread (Zoonotic Diseases and Emerging Health Threats 2023). Diseases which used to stay within particular geographic areas now rapidly spread across continents throughout a short period. The movement of pathogens occurs through airports and shipping routes and migratory bird paths (World Health Organization 2023). The situation requires enhanced worldwide disease monitoring systems along with swift reaction protocols (Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases 2016). (E.B.)