Holly Spindler
Learn how eating animals can put human health at risk and discover more about our broken food systems.
Three in four of all emerging infectious diseases come from animals. COVID-19 is just the latest in a string of zoonotic (transmitted from animals) diseases that pose a threat to human health, which are responsible for nearly three million deaths a year.
Many of us have something we consider dangerous and are extremely afraid of. But whether this is snakes, spiders, sharks or heights, most people are not afraid of, or even aware of, the biggest threat to human life; the consumption of animal products.
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, there was a sense of fear and blame directed at wet markets. With many animals forced together in filthy conditions, it’s a breeding ground for disease that humans can contract and spread.
However, wet markets are only a small part of the problem.
Factory farms - huge buildings crammed with animals living in dirty, often hot conditions - exist across the world, including in the UK and Europe. These conditions are causing growing concern for experts. Scientists believe that there is a significant risk of a future bird flu outbreak that has the potential to kill 60% of those affected.
Watch our video to find out more.
Although COVID-19 is the worst we’ve experienced on a global level, it is just one of many diseases including SARS, MERS, Ebola and HIV that have come from animals. These outbreaks are becoming more frequent, more widespread.
For the sake of our own health, and future generations, we need to make the connection between these disease outbreaks and our broken food systems.
