Climate & Environment
Zoonosis
Definition
A zoonosis is an infectious disease that can be transmitted from animals to humans, such as rabies, Ebola, avian influenza and COVID-19. A majority of emerging infectious diseases are zoonotic, and spillover risk rises with deforestation, land-use change, wildlife trade and intensive livestock production.
References
This reference provides supporting context for how “Zoonosis” is defined and used.
Source imported for editorial provenance.
Overview
How it is used
Health agencies operate zoonotic disease surveillance; pandemic preparedness frameworks integrate land-use and wildlife-risk factors; ESG and biodiversity risk analysis recognises ecosystem disruption as a driver of health risk; the term links conservation directly to public health.
Why it matters
Zoonotic spillover is the most consequential pathway linking environmental degradation to human catastrophe; protecting ecosystems is frontline pandemic prevention.