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Rachel V Thomas

World Zoonoses Day 2026: Next Pandemic Very Likely, And The World Is Still Underprepared, Says WHO Scientist

While the devastating COVID-19 <span>pandemic</span> has significantly increased awareness about zoonotic diseases, the world remains inadequately prepared for another outbreak, which is "very likely," according to <span>Dr Mario Raviglione</span>, consultant to a HPV project at the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), <span>World Health Organization</span>, on the occasion of World Zoonoses Day. 

Observed every year on July 6, World Zoonoses Day aims to raise awareness about zoonotic diseases—infections that spread between animals and humans. This year's theme, "One World, <span>One Health</span>: Prevent Zoonoses," underscores the close link between human, animal and environmental health, according to the International Society for Infectious Diseases (ISID). 

In an exclusive interview with <strong><em>HealthandMe</em></strong>, <span>Dr Mario</span> said the world has learned important lessons from COVID-19, but preparedness for the next zoonotic outbreak remains inadequate. 

"The biggest lessons learned in my view are the understanding... that indeed we are in an era where pandemics could happen on a daily basis essentially," he said, noting that around three-quarters of emerging and re-emerging infections now originate in the animal world. 

However, despite greater awareness among politicians, policymakers and health ministries, he said there is still no full understanding of the level of preparedness needed to confront future threats. 

<h2>Risks Of Pandemics Are Increasing </h2>

According to Dr Mario, the factors driving <span>zoonotic spillovers</span> are becoming more intense rather than diminishing. He pointed to: 

<ul><li>Expanding human populations moving into previously wild areas </li></ul><ul><li>Increasing proximity between humans and animals </li></ul><ul><li>Rapidly growing livestock production </li></ul><ul><li>Unrestricted animal trade </li></ul><ul><li>Deforestation </li></ul><ul><li>Biodiversity loss </li></ul><ul><li>Greater contact with disease-carrying vectors such as mosquitoes. </li></ul>

"All of this put together tells us that the risk is high, that the risk is increasing, that the pandemic potential is definitely on an increase and, as a result, preparedness becomes really at this point an imperative," he said. 

<h2>Plans Exist, But Funding Is Lacking </h2>

While acknowledging that many countries, particularly in Europe, now have pandemic preparedness plans, Dr Mario said these are often not backed by adequate financial commitments. 

He said many countries continue to face shortages of trained human resources, laboratory capacity and disease surveillance systems. There are also insufficient links between human medicine, veterinary public health and environmental monitoring. 

According to him, these shortcomings remain significant obstacles to effective preparedness and response during future epidemics, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. 

<h2>Surveillance And Laboratory Capacity Need Strengthening </h2>

Dr Mario, also a consultant for a tuberculosis project with the US National Institutes of Health (NIH), stressed that countries need stronger surveillance systems not only for human diseases but also for animals and the environment. 

He also highlighted the need for improved laboratory capacity to identify emerging pathogens, stronger genomic surveillance, adequate facilities and trained personnel, and the ability to rapidly produce vaccines when needed. 

"The environmental health is the one that is weaker... in terms of capacity to monitor," he said, describing it as the weakest component of the One Health triad. 

<h2>One Health Approach Is Essential </h2>

Dr Mario said zoonotic diseases emerge from interactions between humans, animals and the environment, making the One Health approach fundamental to future pandemic preparedness. 

He described One Health as "an approach that unites human health, animal health and environmental health," recognizing that all three are interconnected. 

He said practical implementation should include: 

<ul><li>Human disease surveillance </li></ul><ul><li>Veterinary surveillance </li></ul><ul><li>Biodiversity and wildlife monitoring </li></ul><ul><li>Food safety systems </li></ul><ul><li>Stronger diagnostic capacity </li></ul><ul><li>Laboratory networks </li></ul><ul><li>Antimicrobial resistance plans </li></ul><ul><li>Research capability </li></ul><ul><li>Adequate vaccine manufacturing capacity </li></ul>

<h2>Prevention Requires Sustained Investment</h2><h2> </h2>

Despite the increased awareness following COVID-19, Dr Mario said preparedness ultimately depends on governments translating commitments into action through sustained investment. 

He said countries need solid preparedness plans, practical implementation and adequate financing to build resilient systems capable of responding to future threats. 

"If you think prevention is expensive, try the disease then," he said, underscoring the importance of investing in prevention.

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While the devastating COVID-19 pandemic has significantly increased awareness about zoonotic diseases, the world remains inadequately prepared for another outbreak, which is "very likely," according to Dr Mario Raviglione, consultant to a HPV project at the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), World Health Organization, on the occasion of World Zoonoses Day. Observed every year on July 6, World Zoonoses Day aims to raise awareness about zoonotic diseases—infections that spread between animals and humans. This year's theme, "One World, One Health: Prevent Zoonoses," underscores the close link between human, animal and environmental health, according to the International Society for Infectious Diseases (ISID). In an exclusive interview with HealthandMe, Dr Mario said the world has learned important lessons from COVID-19, but preparedness for the next zoonotic outbreak remains inadequate. "The biggest lessons learned in my view are the understanding... that indeed we are in an era where pandemics could happen on a daily basis essentially," he said, noting that around three-quarters of emerging and re-emerging infections now originate in the animal world. However, despite greater awareness among politicians, policymakers and health ministries, he said there is still no full understanding of the level of preparedness needed to confront future threats. Risks Of Pandemics Are Increasing According to Dr Mario, the factors driving zoonotic spillovers are becoming more intense rather than diminishing. He pointed to: Expanding human populations moving into previously wild areas Increasing proximity between humans and animals Rapidly growing livestock production Unrestricted animal trade Deforestation Biodiversity loss Greater contact with disease-carrying vectors such as mosquitoes. "All of this put together tells us that the risk is high, that the risk is increasing, that the pandemic potential is definitely on an increase and, as a result, preparedness becomes really at this point an imperative," he said. Plans Exist, But Funding Is Lacking While acknowledging that many countries, particularly in Europe, now have pandemic preparedness plans, Dr Mario said these are often not backed by adequate financial commitments. He said many countries continue to face shortages of trained human resources, laboratory capacity and disease surveillance systems. There are also insufficient links between human medicine, veterinary public health and environmental monitoring. According to him, these shortcomings remain significant obstacles to effective preparedness and response during future epidemics, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Surveillance And Laboratory Capacity Need Strengthening Dr Mario, also a consultant for a tuberculosis project with the US National Institutes of Health (NIH), stressed that countries need stronger surveillance systems not only for human diseases but also for animals and the environment. He also highlighted the need for improved laboratory capacity to identify emerging pathogens, stronger genomic surveillance, adequate facilities and trained personnel, and the ability to rapidly produce vaccines when needed. "The environmental health is the one that is weaker... in terms of capacity to monitor," he said, describing it as the weakest component of the One Health triad. One Health Approach Is Essential Dr Mario said zoonotic diseases emerge from interactions between humans, animals and the environment, making the One Health approach fundamental to future pandemic preparedness. He described One Health as "an approach that unites human health, animal health and environmental health," recognizing that all three are interconnected. He said practical implementation should include: Human disease surveillance Veterinary surveillance Biodiversity and wildlife monitoring Food safety systems Stronger diagnostic capacity Laboratory networks Antimicrobial resistance plans Research capability Adequate vaccine manufacturing capacity Prevention Requires Sustained Investment Despite the increased awareness following COVID-19, Dr Mario said preparedness ultimately depends on governments translating commitments into action through sustained investment. He said countries need solid preparedness plans, practical implementation and adequate financing to build resilient systems capable of responding to future threats. "If you think prevention is expensive, try the disease then," he said, underscoring the importance of investing in prevention.

world zoonoses day 2026: next pandemic very likely, and the world is still underprepared, says who scientist

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