In this time of crisis, thousands of papers and guidelines have already been published about COVID-19. Most of these consider the important questions of how to respond to the ongoing public health crisis, or how to mitigate the impacts of the pandemic. This report takes a step back and considers the root causes of the emergence and spread of the novel coronavirus and other ‘zoonoses’—diseases that are transmitted between animals and humans. The report also offers a set of practical recommendations that can help policymakers prevent and respond to future disease outbreaks.
UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen and ILRI Director General Jimmy Smith launched the report at a press briefing in New York City on 6 July 2020. Watch session here.
Related content:
- Press release: Unite human, animal and environmental health to prevent the next pandemic – UN Report
- Statement: Preventing the next pandemic: Zoonotic diseases and how to break the chain of transmission
- Story: As daily COVID-19 cases reach a new high, new report examines how to prevent future pandemics
Photo on UNEP homepage: by ILRI/Paul Karaimu