Who is talking about zoonotic diseases?
Want to know more about zoonotic diseases?
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Here is a rundown of publicly available internet resources and what they can offer.
WOAH is the global authority on animal health, animal diseases and animal welfare. It is supported by 183 member governments.
The WOAH site has a strong focus on fact sheets and infographics, particularly for the more important zoonotic diseases like avian influenza and rabies. Animal diseases are collated and listed for easy navigation, and the site design is colourful and engaging.
Usefulness score
8/10
There is plenty of information about the ongoing avian influenza pandemic in birds and other animals. There is even a section about avian influenza in cats!
The focus is animal diseases, but the One Health approach is given special focus with a dynamic and compelling dedicated page. There are also many resources for use by government bodies to improve human outcomes by improving animal health.
Languages available: English, French, Spanish
The WHO is the coordinating body for the global response to human health issues. It also acts to prevent diseases and improve access to health care. The WHO is supported by 194 member countries.
The WHO site has several resources about how zoonoses emerge and how countries can reduce zoonotic risks with a One Health approach. They also track and report the incidence of important human diseases, many of which are zoonoses.
Usefulness score
8/10
The WHO also runs targeted zoonotic disease campaigns and help raise awareness of zoonoses through events like World Rabies Day.
Like the WOAH site, information about each zoonotic diseases is organised in fact sheets, so it can be hard to find specific information if you don't know what you're looking for.
Languages available: English, Spanish, French, Arabic, Chinese (simplified), Russian
The CDC site is the peak organisation for public health in the USA. It is part of the US Goverment's Department of Health and Human Services.
The CDC site has a useful list of zoonoses with fact sheets for each disease. There is additional information on avian influenza panzootic, and specific other disease threats, with engaging infographics and visual aids.
The site has a focus on diseases of importance to the US, but many of these are significant global zoonoses, and relevant to many other geographic areas.
It can be hard to find information about wildlife diseases, and there is minimal information about the factors that drive zoonotic diseases spilling over to humans.
Languages available: English, Spanish
Usefulness score
8/10
Wildlife Health Australia is the independent coordinating body for wildlife health in Australia. It is supported by Australian federal and state governments.
The WHA website has excellent coverage of zoonotic diseases present in Australian wildlife, presented in well-researched disease fact sheets. One page groups fact sheets for diseases that are zoonotic, which makes navigation easier.
There is no specific page dedicated to zoonotic diseases and the role of wildlife in disease emergence and spillover, but there is good information in each fact sheet about human health implications of each disease.
Languages available: English
Usefulness score
7/10
Wikipedia is a popular online encyclopedia maintained and updated by community volunteers. While Wikipedia used to be considered a non-mainstream source of information, improved editorial policies and high community engagement have made it one of the most visited websites globally.
Wikipedia has a good general summary of zoonotic disease and also includes brief but useful information about the drivers of disease spillover, such as habitat destruction, farming practices and the illegal wildlife trade. It has a long list of zoonotic disease which each have their own Wikipedia page.
Usefulness score
5/10
It's not a nice to look at as the WOAH site, but it's not a bad place to start if you want an overview.
Languages available: 62 language translations are available. There is also a Simple English page with much less information.
Sick of reading? Try these videos instead.
Want to go deep? These organisational reports will get you thinking.
A 2020 United Nations report
82 pages
A 2023 WOAH opinion paper
Journal article
18 pages
A 2022 World Bank report
52 pages