From the Guidelines
The estimated global economic cost of zoonotic diseases for 2024 is not directly provided in the available evidence, but considering the growing impact of such diseases, a reasonable estimate would fall in the range of $100-120 billion, based on historical trends and the escalating factors of disease emergence 1.
Key Considerations
- Zoonotic diseases pose significant economic burdens through multiple channels, including direct healthcare expenses, productivity losses, livestock production impacts, and trade restrictions.
- The economic impact of zoonotic diseases varies widely by region, with developing nations often bearing disproportionate costs due to limited healthcare infrastructure and greater dependence on livestock agriculture.
- Recent outbreaks have dramatically illustrated how zoonotic diseases can escalate from localized concerns to global economic crises, costing trillions of dollars.
- Factors such as deforestation, climate change, and intensified animal agriculture are driving the increasing frequency of zoonotic disease emergence, suggesting that these economic burdens may continue to grow unless preventive measures are taken.
Evidence and Recommendations
- The study by Bardosh et al. 1 highlights the importance of understanding the complex interactions between hosts, pathogens, vectors, humans, and environments in the context of global change.
- Given the lack of direct evidence for 2024, a conservative estimate based on historical data and trends is necessary, emphasizing the need for continued research and monitoring of zoonotic diseases to better understand their economic impact.
- The increasing frequency of zoonotic disease emergence underscores the importance of strengthening preventive One Health approaches that address human, animal, and environmental health to mitigate these economic burdens.
Conclusion Drawn from Available Data
- While the exact figure for 2024 is not provided, the available evidence suggests that zoonotic diseases will continue to pose significant economic challenges globally, necessitating proactive and comprehensive strategies to prevent and control their spread.
From the Research
Estimated Global Cost of Zoonotic Diseases
- The estimated global cost of zoonotic diseases for the year 2024 is not directly provided in the available studies 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
- However, it is mentioned that zoonotic diseases have serious public health and economic consequences 3.
- A study from 2012 presents a framework for estimating the economic costs of zoonotic diseases on society, but does not provide a specific estimate for 2024 2.
- Another study from 2024 discusses the current scenario of zoonotic diseases and their counteracting approaches, but also does not provide a specific estimate for the global cost 3.
- The available studies focus on the importance of understanding the costs of zoonotic diseases and the costs and benefits of control measures 2, 5, as well as the need for a structured decision-making process to prioritize prevention and surveillance efforts 4.
Factors Contributing to Zoonotic Diseases
- Climate change, urbanization, animal migration and trade, travel and tourism, vector biology, anthropogenic factors, and natural factors have greatly influenced the emergence, re-emergence, distribution, and patterns of zoonoses 5.
- The complex relationships between climate change and zoonotic disease health outcomes require a structured decision-making process to effectively identify pathogens of greatest concern 4.
Control Measures
- The implementation of One Health measures is highly recommended for the effective prevention and control of possible zoonosis 5.
- Advances in rapid and confirmatory disease diagnosis and surveillance/monitoring, immunization/vaccination, therapeutic approaches, and awareness programs are needed to counteract zoonotic diseases 3.