Emergent Disease Foundation

The Emergent Disease Foundation (EDF) is a UK registered charity that was established in 2010. It is dedicated to researching and educating about emergent diseases. The charity is involved in a variety of activities aimed at understanding, preventing, and managing diseases.

Mission and Activities

EDF focuses on emerging diseases, which are diseases that are either new or rapidly increasing in incidence. Their work includes creating guidelines for the management and prevention of zoonotic diseases, which are diseases that can be transmitted between animals and humans.

One of the notable initiatives by the Emergent Disease Foundation is the development of the EMODE system. This system is designed to evaluate the suitability of different animal species as pets based on their ease of care. It categorizes animals into four levels: Easy, Moderate, Difficult, or Extreme. This helps reduce the risk of poor animal welfare, unwanted pets, and zoonotic diseases by ensuring that potential pet owners are aware of the challenges involved in caring for certain species.

EDF also engages in research and publication efforts, contributing to various scientific journals and publications. Their recent activities include significant contributions to publications related to human disease and injury from captive exotic animals.

Impact and Reach

The Emergent Disease Foundation works to improve awareness and understanding of emergent diseases among both professionals and the general public. By promoting better practices in animal care and disease prevention, they aim to reduce the risks associated with zoonotic diseases. Their efforts contribute to improving public health and animal welfare.

The charity’s impact extends beyond research and education. It plays a role in shaping policies and practices related to exotic pet ownership and zoonotic disease management through scientific research and expert guidance.

[1] https://www.emergentdisease.org [2] https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=1133422&subid=0 [3] https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/4046678/contact-information [4] https://emergentdisease.org/publications/edf-publications [5] https://www.rarebeacon.org