Plain Language Summary of the European Union One Health 2024 Zoonoses Report

Background Zoonoses are infectious diseases that can spread between animals and humans due to bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites (zoonotic microorganisms). These microorganisms can infect people through contaminated food and water, contact with infected animals, vectors (e.g.mosquitoes, ticks) or a contaminated environment. Directive 2003/99/EC requires EFSA to examine zoonotic disease data from European Union (EU) Member States and prepare an annual report on the spread of diseases by zoonotic agents, in collaboration with the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), which is responsible for the surveillance of communicable diseases in humans. These reports provide an overview of the occurrence of zoonotic agents in humans, food and animals, providing valuable information for veterinary and food safety authorities.They help them to plan activities aimed at reducing the presence of zoonotic diseases in animals and the environment, thereby lowering the number of human cases. How did EFSA and ECDC carry out this work and what data were used? EFSA and ECDC used surveillance and monitoring data from the Member States on the occurrence of zoonotic diseases in humans, zoonotic agents in food, animals and the environment, and microbiological contaminants in food. The data were analysed to create summaries and identify trends, while considering data quality and sampling strategies for food and animals.