Abstract

Zoonotic diseases, caused by pathogens transmitted between animals and humans, pose a significant threat to global health, economies, and biodiversity. The increasing frequency of zoonotic outbreaks, such as COVID-19, Ebola, and avian influenza, underscores the urgent need to understand the factors driving disease emergence and transmission. Urbanization, deforestation, wildlife trade, climate change, and antimicrobial resistance have created conditions that facilitate zoonotic spillover and global spread. This paper explores the global impact of zoonotic diseases, highlighting their economic burden, public health challenges, and implications for food security. Additionally, it examines strategies for prevention, including the One Health approach, improved surveillance systems, enhanced biosecurity measures, and global policy frameworks. Strengthening interdisciplinary collaboration between human, animal, and environmental health sectors is essential for mitigating future zoonotic threats and safeguarding global health security.