How healthy farm animals protect us from zoonotic diseases

 

It might surprise you, but healthy farm animals do more than provide us with food. They also help keep us safe from dangerous zoonotic diseases.

Zoonotic diseases, or zoonoses, are infectious diseases that spread from animals to humans. These diseases can be serious and even lead to global pandemics. Ebola, rabies, malaria and salmonella are examples of zoonotic diseases. HIV is believed to have originated as a zoonosis.

Our scientists are working hard to ensure that farm animals stay healthy. This reduces the risk of zoonotic diseases being transmitted from animals to humans, lessens farmers’ use of antibiotics and supports healthier communities. Through a project called TRANSFORM, funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), we’re working with Heifer International and the International Poultry Council to improve animal health in India, Kenya and Vietnam.

 

Below are four things you should know about how healthy animals can lead to better human health.

 

1. Healthy animals stop the spread of dangerous diseases

A Kenyan poultry farmer disinfects bird feeders and drinkers. This is a practice he learned through TRANSFORM training, which now benefits his farm.

Zoonotic diseases can spread between animals and humans through bites, scratches or even simple contact with infected animals. Some examples of zoonotic diseases include Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), West Nile virus, tuberculosis and plague. These diseases highlight the important connection between animal health and human health.

One way we’re helping stop the spread is through our partnership with Heifer International to help farmers adopt biosecurity practices like improved animal housing and using disinfecting footbaths. 

“Couple these practices with animal nutrition intervention, and we can do more than just keep animals healthy — we can protect people, too,” Annie says.

 

2. Healthy animals need fewer antibiotics

Poultry farmers in India receive education from TRANSFORM on raising healthy animals.

You might wonder why antibiotics are used in farm animals. When animals are sick, they need antibiotics to get better, just like we do.

However, incorrect use of antibiotics can lead to antimicrobial resistance, making them less effective. 

This is a growing problem in the U.S. and around the world. The good news is that when animals are kept healthy, they don’t need as many antibiotics. Less reliance on antibiotics helps preserve the effectiveness of these life-saving drugs for both humans and animals.

TRANSFORM is leading efforts to reduce the need for antibiotics, directly contributing to the global fight against antimicrobial resistance. Our work includes showing farmers how to preserve antibiotics for when they’re truly needed. 

It also involves working with organizations like the International Poultry Council and other experts to garner industry-wide support for science-based principles for antimicrobial use.

“The principles promote animal health in order to avoid the need to use antimicrobials, but when they’re needed, to ensure proper use with the oversight of a veterinarian,” says Dennis Erpelding, TRANSFORM lead for the International Poultry Council.

 

3. Healthy animals make our food system more resilient

Elizabeth Ndwiga, a poultry producer from Machakos County, Kenya, reduced antimicrobial use on her farm after receiving training from TRANSFORM.

When animals are healthy, they are more productive, which means more food for everyone. This helps ensure that we have enough food to feed our growing global population — a win for farmers and a win for the world.

Just ask Elizabeth Ndwiga, a poultry farmer from Kenya who participates in the TRANSFORM project. Her animals have never been healthier and more productive.

“I received training on farm biosecurity and antimicrobial use from the TRANSFORM project,” Elizabeth says. “As a result of the training, I began vaccinating my flock, barring visitors and vehicles from entering the farm, and cleared vegetation around the poultry house.”

 

4. Healthy animals make your food safer

Sukanti Mohanta’s journey towards self-sufficiency took a significant leap when she enrolled in the TRANSFORM training program on Backyard Poultry Management in her village of Dhatika Beda, Mayurbhanj, India.

When farm animals are healthy, they’re less likely to carry germs that could make their way into our food and make us sick. For example, contaminated food from an infected animal can lead to serious illnesses like salmonellosis in people. 

That is why we focus on feeding animals the right nutrition to make animal vaccines more effective. That way, if animals are exposed to a disease, the vaccines they’ve been given do a better job at protecting them — and by extension us — from harmful pathogens. 

“When we prioritize animal nutrition, not only are we making sure they grow and thrive, but we’re learning that probiotics and postbiotics can actually lower disease levels and improve vaccine efficacy,” Annie explains. “Our research portfolio was created to find out how animal nutrition could play a role in reducing the animal diseases that have the largest impact on humans — a win for everyone."

 

Connecting farms and global health: TRANSFORMing the future of animal agriculture 

Nehemiah and Leah Koech on their dairy farm in Kenya. They have drastically reduced mastitis infection in their animals after receiving training from TRANSFORM.

TRANSFORM works at the intersection of animal agriculture and human health, taking a “One Health” approach to strengthen USAID’s Global Health Security Program. The initiative focuses on four interconnected areas: 

On-farm practices

We're teaming up with farmers, veterinarians and private companies to promote practical, hands-on biosecurity and farm management practices. These efforts are all about boosting animal health by encouraging smarter, more sustainable use of antimicrobials.

Holistic animal nutrition research

Our research dives into animal nutrition to find real-world solutions that not only strengthen animals' immune systems but also reduce the presence of harmful pathogens. By doing this, we aim to increase productivity on the farm while minimizing the need for antibiotics.

Access to finance

We're working closely with local banks, financial institutions and supply chain customers to unlock capital for farmers. These loans give farmers the resources they need to invest in better farm management and biosecurity, leading to healthier animals and improved productivity.

Antimicrobial use stewardship

We're collaborating with companies and industry groups to champion science-based principles for responsible antimicrobial use. Our goal is to avoid unnecessary use and ensure that when antibiotics are needed, they’re used in a way that minimizes resistance.

In India, Kenya and Vietnam, TRANSFORM is helping to reduce the spread of harmful diseases, boost farm productivity and create a safer, more reliable food supply. The goal is to build a healthier, more resilient global food system that benefits both people and animals.

 

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