Zoonosis

Zoonosis encompasses infectious diseases naturally transmitted between animals and humans through direct contact, environmental exposure, vector-borne transmission, or foodborne routes, representing significant public health threats with approximately 60% of human infectious diseases having animal origins. These cross-species infections include well-known examples like rabies, influenza, Ebola, and COVID-19, with emerging zoonoses posing pandemic risks when animal pathogens acquire capabilities for efficient human transmission.

The pharmaceutical industry responds to zoonotic threats through vaccine development, therapeutic interventions, and pandemic preparedness. Influenza vaccines address zoonotic threats from avian or swine influenza viruses with pandemic potential, requiring surveillance systems monitoring animal reservoirs and rapid response capabilities. COVID-19 exemplified massive pharmaceutical response to zoonotic emergence, with unprecedented vaccine development timelines. Antiviral therapies target zoonotic viruses including influenza and emerging threats. Monoclonal antibodies provide therapeutic and preventive options. One Health approaches recognise interconnections between human, animal, and environmental health informing prevention strategies. Surveillance programmes monitor animal populations identifying potential threats before human emergence. As climate change, land use alterations, and global connectivity increase zoonotic risks, pharmaceutical industries, public health agencies, and research communities collaborate addressing zoonotic diseases through surveillance, rapid response capabilities, platform technologies, and fundamental research.