Study Highlightsโค Critical gaps in Understanding Zoonotic Disease origins
Aโฃ new systematic map reveals that zoonotic diseases – those โtransmissible from animals to humans – cause an estimated 2.5 billion cases of illness and 2.7 million deaths globally each year, with agrifood systems playing a meaningful role in their emergence.โค However, โขdespite this substantial impact, decision-makers currently lack sufficient evidence linking specific agricultural practices to the rise of these diseases.
The research, led by a safety expert at Newcastle University and dr. Hazel Cooley,co-lead author of the study,systematically reviewed nearly 50,000 publications,ultimately analyzing 424 relevant studies focusing on factors influencing zoonotic disease occurrence in low- and middle-income countriesโ (LMICs). The review process involved both manual screening and machine learning techniques.
The study identified four key areas of investigation: exposure to potential hosts (particularly livestock,โ featured in 53% of publications), โsocial and economic factors โฃ(47%), physical and environmental factors like โland use,โ climate, and weather (46%), and domesticated animal practices (38%).
Whileโ research exists in these areas, the authors emphasize significant knowledge gaps remain, particularly concerning specific food โคsystem contexts, geographic regions, andโข the request of a “One Health” โคapproach -โ recognizing the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health.
“zoonotic diseases linked to agrifood systems represent a significant risk to global health, but the factors behind their rise are not fully understood,” stated โdr. cooley. “By advocating for โsystems-based research and policies to address these gaps, โdecision-makers can prioritize resources, improve preparedness, and reduce the risk of diseases spreading from animals to humans.”
The researchers recommend a greater emphasis on understanding disease transmission throughout the entire food chain, including processing, distribution, and consumption. They also advocate for integrated, systems-based research to analyze the interplay between farming practices, land โuse changes, and food demand. โฃ Furthermore, the study stresses the importanceโ of international collaboration, particularly with LMICs, to address country-specific research needs and enhance understanding ofโข zoonotic risks.
The findings contribute to a One Health research roadmap developed โขby CABI’s One Health Hub, and will โขbe discussed โฃfurther in a webinar hostedโฃ by the FAO’s One Health knowledge nexus (OHKN) asโ part of their Community of Practice on emerging pests and diseases, including zoonoticโค spillover.
The research โwas published in Juno Reports (Cooley, H., et al. (2025) What are the factors behind emerging zoonotic diseases associated with agrifood systems? A systematic map. Juno Reports. DOI: 10.1079/junoreports.2025.0002).
