Zoonosis

This hub provides an authoritative overview of zoonoses and emerging infectious diseases, highlighting the complex interplay between human, animal, and environmental health. The collection encompasses the mechanisms and drivers of zoonotic spillover, including climate change, ecological disruption, and anthropogenic factors, as well as the historical and contemporary impacts of zoonotic outbreaks. Articles explore a wide array of pathogens, ranging from viruses such as Hendra, Nipah, and Marburg, to coronaviruses, as well as bacterial and parasitic zoonoses. Additional topics include the concept of One Health, the significance of pandemic preparedness, reverse zoonosis, and surveillance strategies such as wastewater monitoring. This hub serves as a trusted resource for healthcare professionals, researchers, and public health practitioners seeking evidence-based insights into the prevention, detection, and control of zoonotic and emerging diseases.

Hendra Virus: An Emerging Zoonotic Threat in a Warming World

Hendra virus is a highly lethal zoonotic pathogen primarily transmitted from flying foxes to horses and occasionally humans, with outbreaks linked to habitat loss and climate change. Prevention relies on integrated veterinary, ecological, and public health strategies, including vaccination, surveillance, and habitat restoration, to reduce spillover risk.

Overview

Explore expert-reviewed articles on zoonoses, spillover events, emerging infectious diseases, and pandemic prevention. This hub offers comprehensive, evidence-based information for clinicians, researchers, and public health professionals.

Norovirus Transmission

How to Prevent Pandemics

Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) Symptoms

What is a Zoonosis?

What is Marburg Virus?

What is a Spillover Event?

Zoonosis History

How does the COVID-19 Pandemic Compare to Other Pandemics?

One Medicine: Bridging the Gap Between Human and Animal Health

How are Zoonotic Pathogens Threatening Global Healthcare Systems?

What is Microsporidiosis?

See more featured articles »

Importance of Wastewater Surveillance of SARS-CoV-2

Anthropogenesis and COVID-19

Zoonosis Carriers

Why are Spillover Diseases Increasing?

Can Pets Get COVID-19?

What is Reverse Zoonosis?

What is Henipavirus?

Monkeypox; What is It and How Do We Treat It?

What is Trichinellosis?

Climate Change and COVID-19

Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) Epidemiology

What is Q Fever?

COVID-19 and Animals

How is Climate Change Impacting Our Health?

Rotavirus in Animals

Zoonotic Disease Outbreaks

Nipah Virus Diagnosis and Treatment

What is Nipah Virus?

Influenza Infection in Animals

Q Fever Diagnosis

What is Ehrlichiosis?

Nipah Virus Infection Signs and Symptoms

Latest Zoonosis News and Research

Scientists warn of rising threat as poultry disease shows signs of jumping to humans

Avian Intestinal Spirochaetosis (AIS) is a chronic, underreported poultry disease caused by Brachyspira spp., with rising concern over its zoonotic risk to humans. This review highlights key challenges in diagnosis, antibiotic resistance, transmission, and the urgent need for improved surveillance and new prevention strategies.

23 Jun 2025

Study uncovers how HSV-1 disables the brain's antiviral defense

Infections caused by herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) can lead to HSV-1 encephalitis-a rare but deadly condition that inflames the brain.

3 Jun 2025

Global Virus Network urges action to prevent H5N1 pandemic

Today, the Global Virus Network (GVN), representing eminent human and animal virologists from 80+ Centers of Excellence and Affiliates in 40+ countries, published a comprehensive analysis and call-to-action in The Lancet Regional Health-Americas on the North American avian influenza virus, or H5N1, outbreak. The GVN calls on world governments to address the threat of H5N1 avian influenza by enhancing surveillance, implementing biosecurity measures, and preparing for potential human-to-human transmission.

29 Apr 2025

Mpox virus poses rising global epidemic and pandemic threat

Insufficient research on mpox hinders effective control strategies, emphasizing the need to understand its transmission and immune response mechanisms.

7 Apr 2025

Household dogs found to contribute to the spread of antibiotic-resistant Salmonella

Antibiotic-resistant Salmonella is a serious public health concern that has increased in recent years as the bacteria have developed ways to survive drugs.

9 Jan 2025

Bats and birds in Madrid are top carriers of zoonotic pathogens, study reveals

Researchers characterize potential zoonotic pathogens present in fecal samples of urban vertebrate species.

4 Sep 2024

Nigeria and DRC take action with new mpox vaccine rollouts

Nigeria is to begin the immediate rollout of 5,000 doses of mpox vaccines while the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) eyes its first shipment of 65,000 doses, as Africa steps up measures to control the multi-country outbreak.

30 Aug 2024

Flu viruses can use a second entry pathway to infect cells

Most influenza viruses enter human or animal cells through specific pathways on the cells' surface. Researchers at the University of Zurich have now discovered that certain human flu viruses and avian flu viruses can also use a second entry pathway, a protein complex of the immune system, to infect cells.

18 Jul 2024

Intensive livestock farming may contribute to emerging infectious disease risk

Intensive livestock farming could raise the risk of new pandemics, researchers have warned.

17 Jul 2024

Rabies in urban opossums signals health alert in São Paulo

A female White-eared opossum (Didelphis albiventris) found dead in 2021 in Bosque dos Jequitibás Park in the center of Campinas, one of the largest cities in São Paulo state, Brazil, died from rabies meningoencephalitis, according to a group of researchers at the University of São Paulo (USP) and Adolfo Lutz Institute (IAL), the regional reference laboratory, working with health professionals affiliated with public institutions in São Paulo city and Campinas.

16 Feb 2024

Swedish blood donor study reveals high prevalence of undiagnosed TBE infections

The number of infections by the tick-borne TBE virus that are not detected by health services is far higher than previously assumed.

12 Jan 2024

€7.4M EU grant boosts development of vaccines against Marburg viruses

International research consortium receives highly endowed Horizon Europe funding for the development of vaccines against Marburg viruses.

18 Dec 2023

Study reveals differences in SARS-CoV-2 entry mechanisms between humans and mink

Some viruses move between species. For example, SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, can spill over from humans to mink, an agricultural species, and then spill back from mink to humans.

29 Nov 2023

Portable AI-driven COVID-19 test detects variants with high accuracy

A new AI-assisted molecular diagnostic platform capable of identifying variants of COVID-19 and other infectious diseases has been developed by scientists in the UK. The low cost, portable device could play a crucial role in preventing future pandemics due to its accuracy and versatility.

29 Nov 2023

Researchers identify a novel bacterial protein that can keep human cells healthy

Researchers at the University of São Paulo (USP) in Brazil, partnering with colleagues in Australia, have identified a novel bacterial protein that can keep human cells healthy even when the cells have a heavy bacterial burden.

9 Nov 2023

Science, Innovation, and Xenotransplantation: A Discussion with Dr. Wenning Qin

In this interview, we delve deep into the pioneering world of xenotransplantation and the evolving landscape of gene editing.

2 Nov 2023

Are ecological and evolutionary shifts in highly pathogenic avian influenza pointing to another pandemic threat?

Researchers report significant changes in the ecology and evolution of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5 viruses.

20 Oct 2023

Halting pandemics at the source: The call for a proactive 'One Health' approach

The recent PLoS Pathogens review emphasizes proactively preventing pathogen spillover from animals to humans as a strategy against future pandemics, advocating for a holistic One Health approach that considers the interconnectedness of humans, animals, and the environment. The study underscores the importance of primary prevention, differentiating it from secondary containment, and highlights the economic and societal benefits of preemptive actions over reactive responses.

10 Oct 2023

Polish gulls harbor new coronavirus strains, spotlighting avian role in viral evolution

Researchers in Poland have identified five strains of gammacoronaviruses and deltacoronaviruses in black-headed and common gulls, shedding new light on the diversity and evolutionary potential of these viruses. The study highlights the need for ongoing research into animal reservoirs of coronaviruses, as they pose a risk for zoonotic transmission to humans.

17 Sep 2023