New Report Reveals Zoonotic Disease Risks from Animal Industries

A new report released by NYU’s Center for Environmental and Animal Protection and the Brooks McCormick Jr. Animal Law & Policy Program at Harvard Law School sheds light on the high-risk human-animal interactions at animal markets worldwide. The report, titled Animal Markets and Zoonotic Disease Risk: A Global Synthesis of a 15 Country Study, highlights the threats posed to global health security by these markets and the industries that supply them, including the wildlife trade, livestock production, and wildlife farming.

The comprehensive assessment conducted by teams of experts across 15 countries on six continents offers an in-depth analysis of the potential risks posed by animal markets and their supply chains. The report incorporates scientific findings, field observations, data, interviews, and regulatory analysis to describe and analyze the zoonotic risks associated with these markets and related animal industries.

Lead author of the report, Ann Linder, emphasizes that zoonotic disease risk is a global problem that requires urgent attention through better regulation targeting the root causes of zoonotic spillover. The report challenges the polarized debate surrounding COVID-19’s origins and aims to cut through misinformation to address high-risk human-animal interactions occurring in every country studied, including industrialized nations like the United States.

Professor Dale Jamieson, director of NYU’s Center for Environmental and Animal Protection, stresses the importance of understanding how, where, and why these interactions occur to prevent future disease outbreaks through effective policy. The report presents new examples and images from across six continents, illustrating the landscape of zoonotic risk on a global scale and outlining common pathways through which diseases move from animals to humans.

The report assesses the risk posed by animal markets and their major suppliers, such as the wildlife trade, livestock production, and wildlife farming industry. It highlights the inadequacies in regulating these industries, which increases the risk of future pandemics and leaves the public vulnerable. Additionally, the report addresses how misinformation and misconceptions about zoonotic risks can undermine public health efforts.

Furthermore, the report challenges the notion that little can be done to prevent zoonotic outbreaks by demonstrating that outbreaks often follow predictable patterns. It makes a compelling case for better regulation of animal industries to prevent pandemics and safeguard global health security. However, the report finds that many nations are ignoring these risks or taking insufficient action to address them.

In conclusion, the report calls for immediate attention to the regulation of animal industries to mitigate the risks of zoonotic disease outbreaks and protect public health. By understanding and addressing the root causes of zoonotic spillover, policymakers and governments can work towards preventing future pandemics and ensuring global health security.