Why Emerging Infectious Diseases Are Rising: Key Drivers & Future Threats

Emerging infectious diseases are defined as newly identified or previously known diseases that have increased in incidence, expanded their geographical range, or reappeared after a period of decline. From the ancient plagues to the recent COVID-19 pandemic, the catastrophic impact of infectious diseases on human health, wildlife, and global economies has been evident throughout history.

According to the World Health Organization, infectious diseases account for approximately 20 million deaths annually worldwide. Despite advancements in medical science and disease surveillance, new pathogens such as Ebola, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) continue to emerge, while long-standing diseases like Tuberculosis, Malaria, Monkeypox, Dengue, Measles, and Lyme disease persist as major public health concerns across the globe. This growing burden of infectious diseases raises a pressing question—why are emerging infectious diseases increasing more rapidly than ever before?

Scientists define infectious disease emergence as a multi-step process in which a pathogen is introduced into a new susceptible host population, regardless of whether it originates from the environment, another species, or as a variant of an existing pathogen. If the pathogen successfully adapts, it can spread within the new population, sometimes leading to large-scale outbreaks. A significant proportion of emerging pathogens are zoonotic—meaning they are transmitted from animals to humans, either directly or through vectors—indicating that the risk of zoonotic disease transmission is on the rise.

Research suggests that more than 60% of emerging infectious diseases originate in animals, with approximately 70% specifically linked to wildlife. Once introduced, these pathogens can spread through multiple pathways, including hospital-acquired infections (nosocomial transmission), which often result in rapid disease progression and high mortality. Furthermore, if an intermediate or reservoir host or vector species becomes more widely distributed, the pathogen gains the potential to spread across new geographical regions. Avian influenza is a striking example, as the virus originates in birds, undergoes adaptation in host species, and subsequently spreads across continents through wild bird migration.

Understanding the key drivers behind disease emergence is essential for predicting and mitigating future outbreaks. In this article, we will synthesize the major contributing factors that drive pathogen emergence and zoonotic spillover, including rapid population growth and urbanization, environmental changes and deforestation, shifting human behaviors, intensified agriculture and livestock farming, microbial evolution, climate change, globalization, the breakdown of public health systems, and even bioterrorism. The following sections will explore how each of these factors contributes to the growing risk of infectious disease emergence and what this means for future global health security. In the table, I tried to summarize the key drivers of this emergence.

Biodiversity Loss & Invasive Species

Biodiversity, or biological diversity, is an essential pillar of a stable and resilient ecosystem, directly influencing the regulation of pathogen transmission and emerging infectious diseases (EIDs). The Convention on Biological Diversity defines biodiversity as the variety of living organisms across terrestrial, marine, and freshwater ecosystems, including genetic variation within species, between species, and among entire ecosystems. However, anthropogenic pressures such as deforestation, habitat destruction, urbanization, industrial pollution, and climate change are driving unprecedented biodiversity loss—creating ecological imbalances that fuel the rise and spread of zoonotic diseases.

Overfishing, illegal hunting, intensive agriculture, and toxic pesticide use have further accelerated biodiversity degradation, placing immense pressure on wildlife populations. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) currently lists over 16,000 species as threatened, including 5,624 vertebrates, 2,101 invertebrates, and 8,390 plant species. Since 1500 AD, recorded species extinctions have reached 784, with current extinction rates estimated to be 50 to 500 times higher than natural historical levels based on fossil records. These disruptions have profound consequences—not only in terms of ecosystem stability but also in driving the emergence and resurgence of infectious diseases.

Biodiversity loss alters natural pathogen-host dynamics, often resulting in the decline of some species while enabling others—particularly disease-carrying hosts—to proliferate unchecked. This imbalance increases the likelihood of zoonotic spillover events, where pathogens jump from animals to humans, leading to new outbreaks of infectious diseases. The Ebola virus outbreak, for example, has been linked to biodiversity loss, habitat fragmentation, and the hunting and consumption of bushmeat. As ecosystems degrade, human-wildlife interactions become more frequent, heightening the risk of disease transmission across species barriers.

Scientific evidence highlights the strong correlation between biodiversity loss and the emergence of infectious diseases. Research by Keesing et al. (2010) emphasizes that intact ecosystems with high biodiversity reduce infectious disease prevalence by naturally diluting pathogen transmission across multiple hosts. Conversely, regions experiencing significant biodiversity loss—particularly in Asia and the Pacific—have been found to harbor a higher richness of birds and mammals, which serve as reservoirs for many zoonotic pathogens (Morand et al., 2014).

Drivers and locations of emergence events for zoonotic infectious diseases in humans from 1940–2005
a, Worldwide percentage of emergence events caused by each driver; b, Countries in which the emergence events took place, and the drivers of emergence. The size of the circle represents the number of emergence events: for scale, the number of events in the United States was 59.

The Role of Invasive Species in the Spread of Emerging Infectious Diseases

Invasive species—non-native organisms that establish and spread beyond their natural range—pose another serious threat to ecosystem balance and infectious disease emergence. These species often outcompete native populations, disrupting local biodiversity and altering disease transmission pathways. Additionally, introduced hybrid species, which spread through trade, agricultural expansion, and human-mediated movement, often act as vectors for new or re-emerging pathogens, resulting in high mortality rates in native species and ecological instability.

One of the most devastating examples is chytridiomycosis, a fungal disease caused by Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, which has led to mass amphibian population declines worldwide. This deadly pathogen, introduced via global amphibian trade and invasive species movements, has triggered one of the most severe wildlife disease outbreaks ever recorded. At a species level, invasive species disrupt native biodiversity by altering species composition, abundance, and ecological interactions, ultimately leading to population declines and local extinctions.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) reports that 762 forest species are currently at risk due to habitat destruction caused by invasive species. These ecological disturbances are now recognized as the second biggest threat to global biodiversity, after habitat loss. For example, Miconia calvescens, a tropical tree introduced to French Polynesia in 1937, has dramatically altered native forests by shading out endemic plant species and accelerating soil erosion. Similarly, the introduction of invasive stream salmonid fishes has severely impacted aquatic ecosystems, reducing the foraging success, abundance, and survival of native salmonid species (Korsu et al., 2010).

How Invasive Species Disrupt Ecosystems and Enable Pathogen Spread

Beyond their direct impact on native species, invasive pathogens and pests have played a major role in reshaping forest ecology over the past century. The decline of chestnut, elm, and hemlock trees in eastern North America, due to the introduction of alien fungal pathogens and insect pests, has led to drastic shifts in bird populations and broader ecological interactions (McNeely et al., 2001). The loss of hemlock trees, for instance, has significantly altered bird species distributions (Tingley et al., 2002). Additionally, invasive insect species pose a severe threat to native insect populations, which in turn disrupts food chains, negatively impacting insectivorous birds and plant species that rely on insect pollination and seed dispersal.

At an ecosystem level, invasive plants and trees reduce water availability, disrupt food webs, and increase fire hazards. In South Africa, for example, non-native plant species have contributed to long-term forest degradation and permanent ecosystem damage (Mooney and Hofgaard, 1999; van Wilgen et al., 2001). The interaction between invasive species and emerging infectious diseases is becoming an increasingly urgent concern, as these environmental disruptions amplify pathogen transmission, increase host susceptibility, and accelerate the rate of disease outbreaks across multiple species.

Why Biodiversity Conservation is Critical for Preventing Future Pandemics

As emerging infectious diseases continue to evolve in response to human activities, invasive species expansion, and climate-driven environmental changes, the need for strong ecological management and disease surveillance strategies has never been greater. Understanding the link between invasive species and disease emergence is essential for developing targeted conservation policies, enforcing stricter regulations on international species trade, and implementing proactive measures to reduce pandemic risks.

The increasing frequency of emerging infectious diseases highlights the reality that biodiversity conservation is no longer just an environmental issue—it is a global public health necessity. Protecting natural habitats, regulating wildlife trade, and promoting sustainable land-use practices will be essential steps in mitigating the future risk of zoonotic spillovers, infectious disease outbreaks, and global pandemics.

Summary of case studies linking biodiversity change to health effects in humans (Pongsiri et al., 2009)

Urbanization & Population Growth

The geometric rise in human population levels, particularly in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, has been a fundamental driver of biodiversity loss, habitat fragmentation, and the spread of emerging infectious diseases (EIDs). Humans tend to settle in biodiverse regions, where fertile soil, freshwater availability, and favorable climates support agriculture and development. However, this expansion threatens endemic species, alters ecosystems, and increases human-wildlife interactions, all of which contribute to the introduction and transmission of zoonotic diseases.

Research by Balmford et al. (2001) has shown a direct correlation between human population density in tropical regions and the number of endangered species across taxonomic groups. As urbanization intensifies, natural habitats are encroached upon, forcing wildlife into closer contact with humans and domesticated animals—a critical factor in zoonotic spillover events. This trend has been implicated in multiple emerging infectious diseases, including Nipah virus, Ebola, and Lassa fever, where habitat destruction facilitated pathogen transmission from wildlife reservoirs to human populations.

Urbanization also plays a pivotal role in reshaping disease ecology, influencing vector behavior, host immunity, and pathogen survival. Artificial environmental factors such as air pollution, urban heat islands, noise, and artificial lighting introduce physiological and behavioral stressors that alter host-pathogen interactions.

Dominoni et al. (2013b) found that urban songbirds exhibited significant shifts in biological rhythms, adjusting their activity to early morning and nighttime hours due to exposure to artificial lighting. Such behavioral modifications can have far-reaching consequences for disease transmission, affecting vector activity, predator-prey relationships, and immune responses. In another study, Dominoni et al. (2013a) demonstrated that exposure to artificial light at night altered reproductive cycles, accelerating the development of the reproductive system by nearly one month. This shift in seasonal breeding patterns can create unforeseen consequences for host susceptibility and pathogen spread.

Beyond its impact on wildlife, urban expansion intensifies the spread of vector-borne diseases such as Dengue, Chikungunya, and Zika virus, which thrive in poorly managed urban environments where standing water, inadequate sanitation, and high population density provide optimal conditions for mosquito breeding and pathogen transmission. In many rapidly urbanizing regions, unregulated peri-urban zones emerge, where livestock farming, human settlements, and fragmented wildlife habitats overlap, creating high-risk interfaces for zoonotic spillover.

Densely populated cities also serve as amplification hubs for respiratory and airborne infections, such as tuberculosis, influenza, and COVID-19. Poor air quality and high levels of pollution compromise respiratory health, increasing susceptibility to viral and bacterial infections. Additionally, global travel and migration accelerate disease transmission, allowing pathogens to spread beyond their original geographic boundaries in a matter of days.

As urbanization and population growth continue at an unprecedented rate, their role in driving emerging infectious diseases becomes increasingly evident. Understanding the links between human expansion, biodiversity loss, and pathogen spillover is crucial in mitigating future outbreaks and pandemics.

Deforestation & Habitat Destruction

The rapid expansion of human settlements, agriculture, and industrial activities has led to widespread deforestation and habitat destruction, making it a key driver of emerging infectious diseases (EIDs). As forests are cleared for crop production, livestock grazing, and urban development, ecosystems are fragmented, forcing wildlife into closer proximity with human populations. This shift increases the likelihood of zoonotic spillover, where pathogens jump from wildlife reservoirs to humans, leading to new infectious disease outbreaks.

The connection between deforestation and species endangerment is well-established. Research by Balmford et al. (2001) found a direct correlation between human population density in tropical regions and the number of endangered species. As biodiverse forests are destroyed, species that naturally regulate disease transmission decline, while others—such as rodents, bats, and mosquitoes—flourish in disturbed environments, amplifying pathogen spread. Many notorious emerging infectious diseases, including Ebola, Nipah virus, and Hendra virus, have been linked to deforestation-induced changes in wildlife behavior, where displaced reservoir species enter human-occupied areas in search of food and shelter.

Deforestation does not just alter species composition; it also disrupts vector ecology, creating ideal breeding conditions for mosquitoes and other disease-carrying insects. Newly cleared landscapes, with their pools of stagnant water and exposed soil, provide optimal environments for malaria and dengue-transmitting vectors. Studies show that deforestation increases the incidence of vector-borne diseases, as seen in South America and Southeast Asia, where Malaria and Dengue cases have surged in areas experiencing intensive land-use change.

The impact of forest loss extends beyond direct species displacement. Habitat destruction influences host-pathogen interactions by introducing environmental stressors, altering immune function, and changing migration patterns. Urban light pollution, climate shifts, and food shortages force species to modify their natural behaviors, which in turn affects disease transmission dynamics. For example, Dominoni et al. (2013b) found that wild songbirds in urbanized areas adjusted their daily activity rhythms, a behavioral shift that could impact their exposure to parasites and pathogens. Similarly, exposure to artificial light at night has been shown to accelerate reproductive development in birds, potentially altering host susceptibility to infections (Dominoni et al., 2013a).

Another consequence of deforestation and land degradation is the proliferation of invasive species, which can further upset ecological balances and disease dynamics. When native species decline, invasive organisms—often better suited to disturbed environments—take over, reshaping food webs and pathogen transmission pathways. For example, the spread of rodent populations in deforested areas has been associated with increased hantavirus outbreaks in Latin America.

The acceleration of global deforestation is directly linked to the increasing frequency of emerging infectious diseases. As more forests are cleared, pathogen spillover events are expected to rise, making deforestation a critical factor in the emergence of future pandemics. Addressing these risks requires sustainable land-use policies, stricter regulations on deforestation, and proactive disease surveillance to mitigate the growing public health threats associated with environmental destruction.

Overfishing & Illegal Wildlife Trade

The overexploitation of wildlife through overfishing and illegal hunting poses a severe threat to biodiversity and ecosystem stability, contributing directly to the emergence of infectious diseases (EIDs). When species are harvested at unsustainable rates, populations decline to dangerously low levels, disrupting ecological balances, food webs, and pathogen dynamics. Illegal wildlife trade and commercial overhunting have further accelerated biodiversity loss, increasing human-wildlife interactions and the spread of zoonotic diseases.

Illegal hunting has historically been driven by food consumption, fashion, commercial markets, and the pet trade. Many species of ornamental and decorative plants are also removed from their natural habitats to be cultivated elsewhere, leading to declines in native plant populations. The international illegal wildlife trade, valued at over $5 billion annually, is responsible for the exploitation of nearly one-quarter of the world’s endangered and threatened species. This growing demand has resulted in drastic declines in biodiversity, pushing many species to the brink of extinction.

The commercial hunting of wild animals for game and recreational purposes further contributes to global biodiversity decline. In many cases, the overexploitation of keystone species alters entire ecosystem dynamics, leading to cascading effects that increase disease emergence. For example, in Bangladesh, unregulated hunting and illegal wildlife trade have led to the critical endangerment of more than 80 local and migratory bird species, with many of them classified as threatened on a global scale (Khan, 2003). The removal of these species from natural ecosystems can disrupt predator-prey relationships, reduce natural disease control mechanisms, and increase host species that serve as reservoirs for pathogens.

Overfishing, on the other hand, occurs when fish populations are depleted faster than they can naturally replenish, leading to biological changes in marine and freshwater ecosystems (Lee and Safina, 1995). When fish populations decline, their role in maintaining ecosystem health diminishes, allowing for the proliferation of opportunistic species, some of which may act as disease vectors. Additionally, large-scale fisheries disrupt oceanic food chains, increasing the dominance of disease-prone species, which can harbor and transmit pathogens to humans and other marine organisms.

The impacts of overfishing and illegal wildlife trade go beyond species loss—they alter disease transmission pathways, increase human exposure to wildlife-borne pathogens, and amplify the risks of future pandemics. Addressing these threats requires strengthening global conservation policies, enforcing stricter regulations on wildlife trade, and promoting sustainable fishing practices to safeguard both biodiversity and public health.

Climate Change & Global Warming

Rapid climate change and global warming are altering species distribution patterns, disrupting ecosystem dynamics, and accelerating the emergence of infectious diseases (EIDs). Rising global temperatures, driven by greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, and industrial activities, are causing irreversible damage to biodiversity and ecosystem health. Additionally, destructive human activities, including the use of nuclear weapons and unsustainable resource exploitation, have exacerbated ecological imbalances, making human influence the dominant force behind biodiversity decline and disease emergence.

The impact of climate change on biodiversity loss is particularly evident in species extinction patterns. Research by Sinervo et al. (2010) found that Mexican lizard species have already crossed extinction thresholds due to climate-induced environmental changes. Based on regional biota observations from 1975 to 2009, projections estimate that 39% of lizard species worldwide may face extinction by 2080. Such losses not only threaten ecological stability but also increase disease risks, as biodiversity plays a crucial role in regulating pathogen transmission and controlling disease vectors.

Climate change directly facilitates the transmission and spread of pathogens, parasites, and infectious diseases, impacting human health, agriculture, and fisheries. Warmer temperatures, increased humidity, and erratic weather patterns create favorable conditions for vector-borne diseases such as Malaria, Dengue, Zika virus, and Lyme disease, which are expanding into new geographic regions due to shifting vector habitats. For example, the oyster parasite Perkinsus marinus, responsible for massive oyster die-offs, extended its range by 310 miles from Chesapeake Bay to Maine due to above-average winter temperatures (Anonymous, 2008). This demonstrates how climate-driven changes in temperature and precipitation patterns can directly alter the distribution of pathogens and hosts, leading to new outbreaks in previously unaffected regions.

Beyond direct pathogen expansion, climate-driven environmental stressors weaken host immune defenses, making species—including humans—more susceptible to infections. Changes in food availability, altered migration patterns, and habitat fragmentation further contribute to new host-pathogen interactions, increasing the likelihood of zoonotic spillover events. Additionally, ocean acidification and rising sea temperatures disrupt marine ecosystems, fostering the proliferation of harmful algal blooms, bacterial infections, and parasitic diseases that threaten fisheries and aquatic biodiversity.

As climate change continues to reshape ecosystems, its role in emerging infectious diseases is becoming increasingly evident. Understanding how global warming influences disease transmission, pathogen survival, and species interactions is essential for developing climate-resilient disease prevention strategies and mitigating future health crises.

Agricultural Expansion & Factory Farming

The expansion of agriculture and industrial-scale factory farming has significantly altered landscapes, biodiversity, and disease dynamics, contributing to the rise of emerging infectious diseases (EIDs). As forests and natural habitats are cleared to accommodate large-scale crop production and intensive livestock farming, ecosystems become fragmented, increasing human-wildlife interactions and creating hotspots for zoonotic spillover. The intensification of factory farming, where large numbers of animals are housed in close quarters, further amplifies the risk of pathogen transmission, facilitating the emergence of highly contagious and virulent diseases.

One of the most concerning aspects of agricultural expansion is its role in biodiversity loss. The conversion of forests, wetlands, and grasslands into monoculture plantations reduces natural disease control mechanisms, leading to increased pest populations and the spread of plant and animal pathogens. The heavy use of pesticides, herbicides, and chemical fertilizers further disrupts microbial ecosystems, altering the balance of beneficial and harmful microorganisms. This has been linked to the emergence of fungal pathogens affecting both crops and livestock, threatening food security and agricultural sustainability.

Factory farming, particularly in poultry, swine, and cattle industries, serves as an ideal breeding ground for infectious diseases due to high animal densities, poor ventilation, and repetitive antibiotic use. The emergence of highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1 and H7N9), swine flu (H1N1), and antimicrobial-resistant bacteria has been directly linked to intensive livestock farming practices. These environments promote rapid viral mutations, genetic recombination, and cross-species transmission, increasing the likelihood of novel pandemic threats.

Antibiotic overuse in industrial livestock production has also contributed to the rise of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), a major global health crisis. In many factory farms, antibiotics are administered routinely to prevent infections and promote faster growth, creating selection pressure for drug-resistant bacteria. These resistant pathogens can spread from animals to humans through contaminated meat, water runoff, and direct contact with farm workers, leading to hard-to-treat infections in human populations. The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified AMR as one of the greatest threats to global health, warning that drug-resistant infections could surpass cancer as the leading cause of death by 2050 if no urgent action is taken.

Moreover, agricultural intensification has facilitated the emergence of zoonotic viruses, including Nipah virus, which originated in fruit bats but spilled over to pigs and then humans in Malaysia due to livestock farming near bat habitats. Similarly, Rift Valley fever and Q fever have been linked to livestock expansion and changes in animal husbandry. The mixing of domestic animals with wildlife reservoirs, combined with unsanitary conditions in wet markets, increases the probability of viral recombination and the emergence of new infectious diseases.

As agriculture and factory farming continue to expand, the risks of disease outbreaks, foodborne illnesses, and antimicrobial resistance grow exponentially. Sustainable farming practices, including agroecological approaches, reduced antibiotic usage, and improved biosecurity in livestock farming, are critical in reducing the risk of emerging infectious diseases and protecting global health.

Microbial Evolution & Antibiotic Resistance

The rapid evolution of microbes and the increasing prevalence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) have emerged as major global health threats, contributing to the rise of emerging infectious diseases (EIDs). Microorganisms—including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites—constantly evolve through genetic mutations, horizontal gene transfer, and selective pressures, allowing them to adapt to new hosts, evade immune responses, and develop resistance to medical treatments.

One of the primary drivers of microbial evolution is antibiotic overuse and misuse, particularly in healthcare, livestock farming, and agriculture. The excessive use of antibiotics in human medicine, as well as their routine administration in industrial animal farming to promote growth and prevent disease, has accelerated the emergence of drug-resistant superbugs. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB), and carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae are prime examples of pathogens that have evolved resistance to previously effective treatments, leading to higher mortality rates and limited therapeutic options.

The evolution of viruses also plays a critical role in the emergence of novel diseases. Influenza viruses, for example, undergo antigenic drift (small mutations over time) and antigenic shift (major genetic reassortment between strains), leading to the emergence of new flu variants that can trigger global pandemics, as seen with H1N1 in 2009. Similarly, the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which caused the COVID-19 pandemic, has demonstrated how rapid genetic changes can result in new variants with increased transmissibility and immune evasion.

In addition to antibiotic-resistant bacteria, fungal pathogens such as Candida auris have become a rising concern due to their resistance to antifungal treatments, spreading rapidly in hospitals and healthcare settings worldwide. The growing resistance of malaria-causing Plasmodium parasites to antimalarial drugs further complicates disease control efforts, particularly in regions where vector-borne diseases are endemic.

As microbial evolution accelerates, the effectiveness of existing antibiotics and antiviral treatments continues to decline. Without urgent global action to promote responsible antibiotic use, strengthen disease surveillance, and develop new antimicrobial therapies, the world faces a future where common infections become untreatable, and pandemics become more frequent and severe.

Globalization & Air Travel

The rapid expansion of globalization and air travel has drastically altered the spread of infectious diseases, making epidemics and pandemics more frequent and harder to contain. In a highly interconnected world, infectious pathogens can now travel across continents within hours, bypassing natural geographic barriers that once limited disease spread.

Modern air travel allows millions of people to move daily, creating high-risk transmission hubs in airports, airplanes, and densely populated cities. This has facilitated the rapid spread of airborne, vector-borne, and zoonotic diseases, as seen in historical and modern pandemics:

• The COVID-19 pandemic (SARS-CoV-2) spread globally within weeks due to international flights and human mobility, overwhelming healthcare systems worldwide.
• The 2003 SARS outbreak, originating in China, reached 30 countries within months, largely due to air travel.
• The 2014–2016 Ebola epidemic in West Africa saw cases imported to the United States and Europe due to infected individuals traveling before showing symptoms.

Additionally, global trade and commerce contribute to the spread of infectious agents through contaminated goods, livestock, and agricultural products. The international movement of wildlife, whether through legal or illegal trade, introduces new pathogens to regions where they were previously nonexistent. For example, the introduction of Aedes mosquitoes into new environments has expanded the range of Dengue, Zika, and Chikungunya viruses, increasing vector-borne disease outbreaks worldwide.

Beyond human travel, climate change and urbanization have also amplified globalization-driven disease risks, allowing tropical and vector-borne diseases to spread into temperate regions. For instance, malaria and Lyme disease are now appearing in areas where they were previously rare due to changing environmental conditions and human migration patterns.

To mitigate the impact of globalization on disease emergence, governments and health organizations must enhance international disease surveillance, improve airport health screening protocols, and strengthen pandemic preparedness plans. Without effective global health coordination, emerging infectious diseases will continue to pose major threats to human health, economies, and global stability

Conclusion & Action Statement

The rise of emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) is not an isolated phenomenon—it is deeply intertwined with human activities, environmental changes, and globalization. From biodiversity loss, deforestation, and agricultural intensification to climate change, microbial evolution, and global travel, the complex web of disease emergence reflects the unintended consequences of human expansion and ecological disruption. The rapid spread of zoonotic diseases, antimicrobial resistance, and vector-borne pathogens highlights an urgent need for proactive global action to mitigate future outbreaks and prevent the next pandemic.

As scientific evidence overwhelmingly shows, human-driven land use changes, habitat destruction, and wildlife exploitation are key drivers of pathogen spillover events. The increasing frequency of disease outbreaks, from SARS and Ebola to COVID-19 and avian influenza, serves as a stark warning that we must rethink our relationship with the environment. The world cannot afford to remain reactive—preventing the next pandemic requires a shift toward a proactive, interdisciplinary, and One Health approach that integrates human, animal, and environmental health.

What Can We Do? Take Action Now

• Protect Biodiversity & Ecosystems – Support conservation efforts, combat illegal wildlife trade, and promote sustainable land-use policies to reduce human-wildlife disease spillovers.
• Advocate for Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems – Reduce deforestation, regulate factory farming, and minimize antibiotic overuse to slow the rise of antimicrobial resistance and zoonotic disease outbreaks.
• Combat Climate Change & Environmental Degradation – Push for climate-resilient policies that address vector-borne disease expansion, habitat loss, and extreme weather events linked to pathogen spread.
• Strengthen Global Surveillance & Early Warning Systems – Invest in pandemic preparedness, early detection of novel pathogens, and international health security collaborations to contain outbreaks before they escalate.
• Enhance Personal & Community Awareness – Stay informed, support scientific literacy, and advocate for evidence-based health policies that protect both human and planetary health.

The next pandemic is not a question of if, but when—and our actions today will determine how prepared we are for the future. By recognizing the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health, we have the power to reduce disease risks, protect biodiversity, and safeguard global health. The path forward demands collective responsibility, science-driven policy decisions, and long-term sustainable solutions.

The time to act is now. Will you be part of the solution?