One Health, Ecological Bioethics, and the Ethics of Zoonoses: A call for Global Action

Abstract

Abstract Zoonoethics refers to the ethical issues surrounding zoonotic diseases, which are diseases that can be transmitted from animals to humans (WHO, 2023). With the rise of emerging infectious diseases globally, these issues have become increasingly important. There are over 200 known types of zoonoses, and many of them are influenced by socioeconomic factors like climate change, biodiversity loss, and antimicrobial resistance. Zoonoses and diseases of infectious origin account for 70% of new and existing diseases affecting both humans and animals. Examples of zoonoses include but are not limited to anthrax, brucellosis, influenza, hantavirus syndromes, plagues, rabies, SARS-CoV, swine flu, MERS-CoV, Ebola, and SARS-CoV-2. While diseases like rabies can be prevented with vaccinations, others like Ebola and SARS-CoV-2 are extremely deadly. The management of these diseases will require the adoption and acceleration of the “One Health” approach, which recognizes the interconnectedness and interdependence between human, animal, and environmental health.