Review on zoonotic diseases in animals: Diagnostic advances, and one health based prevention and control

Abstract

Zoonotic diseases represent a critical interface between animal health, human health, and environmental integrity, accounting for a substantial proportion of emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases worldwide. These infections are caused by diverse biological agents including bacteria, viruses, parasites, fungi and prions and are transmitted through direct contact, environmental exposure, foodborne routes, vectors, and aerosols. The epidemiology of zoonoses is governed by complex interactions among reservoir hosts, pathogen adaptability, ecological drivers, and human activities, resulting in transmission patterns ranging from endemic persistence in animal populations to episodic spillover events and global pandemics. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the classification of zoonotic diseases based on etiological agents, direction of transmission, and life cycle characteristics, highlighting their diagnostic, surveillance, and control implications within veterinary public health. Emphasis is placed on advances in laboratory diagnostics, including molecular and genomic tools, and on integrated surveillance systems that enable early detection and risk assessment at the wildlife-livestock human interface. The review further examines preventive and control strategies targeting animal reservoirs, food safety, vector management, vaccination, antimicrobial stewardship, and biosecurity, underscoring their biochemical and epidemiological relevance. Central to this synthesis is the One Health framework, which provides a unifying approach for coordinated surveillance, policy development, and intervention across sectors. Finally, emerging challenges such as antimicrobial resistance, climate change, ecological disruption, and socio-economic constraints are discussed alongside future perspectives involving molecular epidemiology, digital surveillance, and predictive modelling. Collectively, this review underscores the indispensable role of integrated, One Health based strategies in mitigating zoonotic disease risks and safeguarding global health.