The impact of anthropogenic environmental change, including climate change, on the transmission of zoonotic diseases in a Belgian context - ZooBiodiv

Over recent decades, the frequency of zoonotic disease outbreaks has risen significantly worldwide, with their emergence and re-emergence increasingly acknowledged to be closely tied to human-driven environmental pressures. These include biodiversity loss, land-use changes, wildlife exploitation, climate change, pollution, and the introduction of invasive alien species. These factors disrupt the complex transmission dynamics of numerous pathogens and parasites, often creating conditions conducive to their spread. The risk of epidemics is further exacerbated by globalization, amplifying the urgency to address these drivers.

At the Belgian level, efforts are ongoing to develop a Belgian One World One Health (OWOH) vision for preventing the emergence of zoonotic diseases at national scale. In support of this, a 12-month collaborative project between Sciensano and the Federal Public Services (FPS) Public Health, Food Chain Safety and Environment, called ZooBiodiv, was initiated in April 2024. 

One objective of this project is to explore the links between anthropogenic environmental changes, including climate change, and the risk of zoonotic disease emergence and spread within a Belgian context.  This analysis was conducted through a comprehensive, though not exhaustive, review of literature, encompassing peer-reviewed articles and ‘gray’ literature from relevant institutions and organizations. In doing so, this report aims to provide a general overview of the current knowledge of how five major anthropogenic drivers of zoonotic disease emergence, namely climate change, land use change, pollution, invasive alien species, and globalization, impact key variables, such as reservoir host and vector populations, that drive zoonotic risk. The focus lies on the Belgian context, which includes regions with similar climatic and socio-economic conditions. 

Drawing from the literature, the report also provides preliminary recommendations that outline strategic priorities which may guide Belgium in its effort to prevent the emergence and spread of zoontic diseases.