There's been some coverage on the link b/w infectious diseases and animal agriculture, and I thought I’d add to it by presenting some information on this subject. I think it’s important for us to acknowledge this correlation, and work towards a more sustainable food system (1/12)

I want to start off by saying that, as per all the research so far, we still don’t know the source of covid-19 even though it’s suspected to have animal origins (bat to pangolin, possibly). Even if that’s not the case, this changes nothing on what I’m about to say. (2/12)

According to a 2013 FAO report “World Livestock 2013: Changing Disease Landscapes” and the CDC, over 70% of human diseases originate in animals, and 3 out of 4 new and emerging infectious diseases come from animals. (3/12)

The deadliest pandemic in recent history, the 1918 influenza, estimated to have killed 50 million people, is thought to either have avian origins or human+swine origins. Either way, our raising of birds or pigs for meat is implicated. (4/12)

Similarly, most recent infectious disease outbreaks such as Nipah virus (1999), SARS (2003), H1N1 swine flu (2009) have originated in animals, and the threat of future outbreaks (if we survive this one) remains high especially from poultry in the form of H5N1 or H7N9. (5/12)

Further, a 2012 report by the International Livestock Research Institute found that 56 zoonoses were responsible for 2.7 million deaths and 2.5 billion cases of human illness annually, with poorer countries disproportionately impacted. (6/12)

If all of this wasn’t enough, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is considered one of the biggest threats to human health. An estimated 73% of all antimicrobials sold globally are used by the livestock sector, and this indiscriminate use is a leading factor in increasing AMR. (7/12)

It is estimated that by 2050, AMR will be responsible for 10 million deaths annually (more than from all types of cancer today) and a $100 trillion impact on economic output. Moreover, this impact will disproportionately impact low- and middle-income countries (8/12)

Will ending animal agriculture end the threat of pandemics forever? Probably not. But is there enough evidence to show that our current system of food production significantly increases the risk of disease and has played a role in millions of deaths? Definitely. (9/12)

Existing food systems are not only horrendous for animals, but also for farm workers, who have some of the highest rates of disease and injury. A recent example from America: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/09/us/coronavirus-chicken-meat-processing-plants-immigrants.html (10/12)

At @MercyForAnimals where I’ve worked for 2 years, our efforts are always intersectional, focused not only on the welfare of animals but also farmers. @leah_garces our president, has written a fantastic book on this subject and I urge you to read it https://amzn.to/2K4zh2A  (11/12)

Finally, if you’re interested in supporting great orgs working towards building a more compassionate food system, follow: @PivotFood @GoodFoodInst @IndiaHSI @pfaindia @50by40 amongst many other super cool ones. (12/12)