The industries dealing with animals in the United States, including fur farming, exotic pet trade, and more, are identified as substantial threats for impending pandemics due to insufficient regulations, as revealed by a study conducted by Harvard Law School and New York University. This research emphasizes the lapses in supervision, perilous human-animal interactions, and the urgent need for enhanced regulations to diminish the threats of zoonotic diseases.
A contemporaneous research project undertaken by Harvard Law School and New York University elucidates the prospective peril of future pandemics stemming from the animal-related industries in the United States. The study emphasizes the lack of an effective governmental strategy to mitigate these risks and advocates for fortifying existing regulations and implementing novel measures to avert outbreaks driven by zoonotic diseases.
This report stands as the first extensive examination of the networks of animal trade that exacerbate the risk of zoonotic diseases within the United States. It scrutinizes 36 disparate animal industries like fur-farming, exotic pet trade, industrial animal agriculture, and others to evaluate the risks each of these industries poses in triggering an extensive disease outbreak.
According to the report, high-risk human-animal interactions occurring regularly within the United States could instigate future pandemics. The report observes that the industries under examination are far less regulated than they ought to be, and indeed far less than the general populace believes them to be. Presently, broad regulatory voids permit pathogens to emerge and proliferate, rendering the populace persistently susceptible to zoonotic diseases.
Ann Linder, a leading author of the report and a research fellow at Harvard Law School’s Brooks McCormick Jr. Animal Law & Policy Program, warned, “The next pandemic could be far graver and might manifest earlier than anticipated. The stakes are overly high to disregard this concern.”
The enormous and escalating scale of animal utilization in the United States singularly predisposes the country to zoonotic outbreaks. For instance, as the world’s leading importer of live wildlife, the U.S. annually imports over 220 million wild animals, often without requisite health inspections or disease examinations.
In addition, the U.S. outstrips almost all other nations in livestock production. In 2022, the U.S. processed an unprecedented number of over 10 billion livestock. Yet, on-farm production remains unregulated by the USDA, and inspections at abattoirs are superficial.
Furthermore, the U.S. stands as one of the largest global producers of pigs and poultry, known carriers of influenza viruses, which scientists believe could give rise to extensive human pandemics.
Currently, the largest outbreak of avian influenza in U.S. history is unfolding, with 58 million poultry dead since its inception in 2022. The virus has transcended species barriers and infected a man in Colorado. Even minor changes in the viral composition could lead to rapid human transmission. Moreover, the U.S. has recorded more “swine flu” infections than any other country since 2011. Despite this, animal fairs remain predominantly unregulated.
The individuals most susceptible to zoonotic diseases in the U.S. are often those working closely with farmed animals. These roles are commonly filled by people of color and those in rural communities, who may be least likely to report illness or seek medical attention.
The CDC estimates the 2009 “swine flu” hospitalized over 900,000 Americans, and live animal markets or “wet markets” in the U.S. are also a significant source of disease risk.
A detailed investigation into pigs in two live animal food markets in Minneapolis revealed elevated rates of influenza viruses in the animals, air, and surfaces. An alarming 65% of workers at the market tested positive for influenza during a 12-week study.
The risk from wildlife is substantial as well, with hundreds of millions of live wild animals imported into the U.S. annually, many without inspection. The $15 billion U.S. exotic pet trade brings high-risk species into close proximity with humans, creating potential hotspots for disease transmission. Animals carrying zoonotic diseases are sold legally without proper health checks, and sometimes through the black market, leading to major outbreaks, such as the mpox outbreak.
Even lesser-known animal industries like crocodile farms and mink fur farms have facilitated the spread of West Nile Virus and COVID-19 to humans, respectively.
Yet, many of these high-risk industries remain inadequately regulated or not regulated at all. Government action is often reactive and seldom proactive, even when the risks are known. For several industries, the government lacks even fundamental data and has no systematic method to screen animals for diseases or to proactively identify zoonotic threats. In some cases, government actions inadvertently escalate the risk and exposure to pathogens.
Dale Jamieson, Director of NYU’s Center for Environmental and Animal Protection, stated, “While zoonotic risks cannot be entirely eradicated, they can be managed and minimized to enhance our safety. The risks that these markets present have been neglected or understated for an extensive period.”
Reference: “Animal Markets and Zoonotic Disease in the United States” by Ann Linder, Valerie Wilson McCarthy, Chris Green, Bonnie Nadzam, Dale Jamieson, and Kristen Stilt, 2023.
This U.S. report precedes a more extensive global policy report, supervised by the same researchers from Harvard Law School’s Brooks McCormick Jr. Animal Law & Policy Program and New York University’s Center for Environmental and Animal Protection. This comprehensive report, to be released later this year, will scrutinize global policy responses to live animal markets in 15 countries and their role in zoonotic disease transmission. The project endeavors to deliver a thorough evaluation to aid international policymakers and augment public cognizance regarding the perils associated with zoonotic diseases.
Table of Contents
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about zoonotic disease
What industries in the U.S. are contributing to the risk of zoonotic diseases?
The report identifies 36 different animal industries such as fur farming, exotic pet trade, hunting, trapping, industrial animal agriculture, backyard chicken production, and roadside zoos that contribute to the risk of zoonotic diseases due to their high-risk interactions between humans and animals.
Who conducted the study on zoonotic disease threats in the U.S.?
The study on zoonotic disease threats in the U.S. was conducted by researchers from Harvard Law School and New York University.
What are some key findings from the report on zoonotic disease in the U.S.?
The report uncovers wide regulatory gaps and high-risk interactions between humans and animals in the U.S. that could spark future pandemics. It calls for improved regulations and proactive policy changes to manage and reduce these risks, citing the lack of robust government strategies.
How does the U.S. compare to other countries in terms of livestock production and related risks?
The U.S. is unique in its vulnerability to zoonotic outbreaks due to the immense scale of animal use, being the largest importer of live wildlife and one of the largest producers of livestock, pigs, and poultry. Insufficient regulation and oversight in these areas contribute to the risks.
What specific recommendations does the report make to mitigate the risks of zoonotic diseases?
The report recommends strengthening current regulations, introducing new measures, and taking proactive steps to prevent zoonotic-driven outbreaks. It also emphasizes the need for systematic screening of animals for disease, identification of threats, and comprehensive data collection.
Who are the most vulnerable to zoonotic diseases in the U.S.?
Those who work hands-on with farmed animals, such as livestock workers, are among the most vulnerable. These jobs tend to be disproportionately staffed by people of color and those in rural communities who may be least likely and able to report disease or seek medical care.
How has the U.S. exotic pet trade contributed to the risk of zoonotic diseases?
The $15 billion U.S. exotic pet trade brings high-risk species into American homes, initiating close human-animal interactions that serve as potential flashpoints for the spillover of zoonotic disease. The trade includes both legal channels and the black market, often without health checks or veterinary oversight.
Are there any real-life examples of outbreaks or infections linked to these risks in the U.S.?
Yes, the report cites real-life examples like the largest avian influenza outbreak in U.S. history, ongoing since 2022, and the 2009 “swine flu” which hospitalized over 900,000 Americans. Other incidents include the spread of West Nile Virus from crocodile farms and COVID-19 transmission from mink in fur farms.
More about zoonotic disease
- Harvard Law School’s Brooks McCormick Jr. Animal Law & Policy Program
- New York University’s Center for Environmental and Animal Protection
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
4 comments
I think we all knew that live animal markets posed risks, but the scope of it is just astounding. The $15 billion U.S. exotic pet trade? Who’s monitoring that? It’s time to take zoonotic diseases seriously.
This is terrifying, i never knew our animal industries were such a threat to public health. The fact that some exotic animal dealers keep 25,000 wild animals together in poor conditions?? It’s beyond belief.
we need to change something fast. This is a wake-up call that cant be ignored. If the largest avian influenza outbreak in U.S. history doesn’t make us change what will
Just read this report and its shocking. Can’t believe how bad the regulations are, whats next another pandemic? Our government needs to step up!