zoonotic disease

A zoonotic disease is an illness that can be passed from animals to humans, often through contaminated food, direct contact with animals, or the environment. Examples include Salmonella infection, Campylobacteriosis, and E. coli infections.

EFSA monitors zoonotic diseases to understand how they spread through the food chain, evaluates the risks to human health, and provides scientific advice to reduce contamination in food and prevent outbreaks. This work helps ensure that foods of animal origin, like meat, eggs, and milk, are safe for consumers.