ILRI expertise on zoonotic diseases

Scientists estimate that 70% of emerging infectious diseases originate from animals, and 60% of the existing infectious disease are zoonotic. Zoonotic diseases are transmitted from animals to humans and can be spread through water, food, and the environment. COVID-19 is probably a good example of such a zoonotic diseases because it is thought most likely to have originated from bats. Other diseases like Ebola, Rift Valley fever, brucellosis and cysticercosis are also considered to be zoonotic. These diseases impose a huge burden on people and the global economy. 

Together with national and international partners, scientists at the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) carry out research towards improving the control of zoonoses through zoonotic disease modelling, risk mapping, surveillance and use of decision support tools. 

The annual global cost of zoonotic diseases is estimated at USD 500 billion, in terms of lives lost and economic slowdowns, compared to USD 20 billion per year for preventive actions. Increased investment in risk-based animal health services is crucial in the battle against zoonotic diseases.

• People can acquire zoonotic diseases from direct or indirect contact with animals and from livestock products. In some cases, when a disease jumps species from animals to humans it becomes adapted to humans as it spreads as a human-only disease. For example, HIV was originally a zoonotic disease which mutated to become a human-to-human disease. In other cases, such as rabies, animals remain the source of infection.
• Zoonoses are more common than most people realize. On average, a new zoonotic disease emerges every four months, although few in recent memory have been as globally threatening as COVID-19.
• Animal health systems remain poorly resourced to contribute effectively to One Health interventions to prevent and control zoonotic diseases. We need to engage in better surveillance and monitoring of animal diseases and conduct better vaccination and food safety programs.
• The emergence of COVID-19 underlines the importance of taking a One Health approach, based on the premise that animal and human health and the ecosystems they share are inextricably linked and must be addressed together.