Increasing awareness of zoonotic diseases among health workers and rural communities in Southeast Asia

The combination of rapid growth of economies and human population in Southeast Asia has created favourable conditions (livestock intensification, disrupted wildlife habitats and changes to land use) that are ideal for emergence of zoonotic diseases. This brief highlights risky behaviours and practices in local communities, along with strategies developed to raise awareness. It also highlights five direct consequences of low awareness of zoonotic diseases. Although increasing awareness is important, sometimes incentives are also needed to encourage behavioural change