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World Zoonoses Day

Mark your calendar for World Zoonoses Day - raise awareness and help protect yourself, animals, and the environment from zoonotic diseases!

Monday

July 2026

Last updated February 7, 2026 · by the Holiday Calendar Team

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YEARLY DATEJuly 6

OBSERVED INInternationally

CATEGORYAwareness

SUBCATEGORYPublic Health

INTRO

Introduction

PHOTO

Mark your calendars for World Zoonoses Day on July 6th! This day was created to raise awareness of zoonoses, which are diseases and infections that can be passed between animals and humans. It's a great opportunity to educate people about how to prevent the spread of these illnesses and why it's so important to do so. This year, World Zoonoses Day will focus on highlighting the progress made in controlling these diseases, as well as the importance of continuing to work together to eliminate them. So let's take this day to celebrate our successes and identify new ways we can further protect ourselves from zoonoses!

TIMELINE

World Zoonoses Day Timeline

First Zoonosis Identification

Anthrax becomes the first zoonosis to be identified, showing clear evidence of disease transmission from animals to humans.

Rabies Vaccination Similarly

Louis Pasteur develops the first vaccine for a zoonotic disease, rabies, which is transmitted from animals to humans via bites.

Influenza Pandemic Outbreak

The flu pandemic of 1918, caused by an H1N1 virus of avian origin, becomes one of the most significant zoonotic events of the century.

Ebola Emergence

The Ebola virus, originating from fruit bats, emerges in Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo, marking another major zoonotic outbreak.

Avian Influenza H5N1

The H5N1 avian influenza ("bird flu") global outbreak highlights the public health risks of zoonoses, initiating more research and preventive measures.

COVID-19 Pandemic

GET INVOLVED

How to Celebrate World Zoonoses Day

Educate yourself

Take some time to learn more about zoonoses and the diseases they cause. Research the signs, symptoms, and treatment of the most common zoonotic diseases. Educating yourself will help you understand how to prevent the spread of these diseases.

VISIT

Visit a local vet

Take a trip to your local veterinarian and learn more about how they diagnose and treat zoonotic diseases. Ask questions about ways to protect yourself and your pets. Your vet will be able to provide helpful advice.

GET

Get involved in your community

Look for volunteer opportunities in your community to help spread awareness about zoonoses. Contact local pet shelters or rescue organizations to see if they need help educating the public about zoonotic diseases.

SPREAD

Spread the word

Share information about zoonoses with your friends and family. Post on social media or start a blog to raise awareness worldwide. The more people know, the better chance we have of preventing the spread of these diseases.

ADOPT,

Adopt, don't shop

When it’s time to get a new pet, consider adopting from a local shelter or rescue organization instead of buying from a pet store or breeder. Shelter animals are often healthier and have been checked for zoonotic diseases before being adopted.

WHY THIS DAY MATTERS

Why World Zoonoses Day is Important

It helps us strive for better treatments for animals

Celebrating World Zoonoses Day gives us an opportunity to consider and discuss ways to improve treatment for sick animals. Animals deserve a good quality of life too, and increasing access to veterinary care is one way we can all make a difference in their lives.

It raises awareness about animal-borne illnesses

By celebrating World Zoonoses Day, we're raising awareness about the importance of animal health in maintaining human health. There are many diseases that can be transmitted from animals to humans - such as rabies, Salmonella and ringworm - so it's essential to remember that we must protect ourselves from potential exposure to these hazards.

It encourages responsible pet ownership

World Zoonoses Day brings attention to the need for safe and responsible pet ownership. This includes making sure your pets are vaccinated, providing them with nutritious food, ensuring they don't contract or spread parasites, and making sure they get sufficient exercise and socialization opportunities.