Over the last three decades, and of all the emerging human diseases in the world, 75 percent are zoonotic—transmitted from animals to people—including HIV, avian influenza, monkey pox and West Nile virus. And actually, 60 percent of all the known human pathogens are cross-species related. Those diseases and the changing environment have created an increasing concern because of the movement of people throughout the world. This is just one of the comments from the CEO of the One Health Commission which recently held its inaugural summit in Washington. The commission was established in response to the increased threat of disease passed between people and animals. 

Read more at http://www.smartplanet.com/people/blog/pure-genius/are-animals-making-us-sick/995/