The article examines the global trends in emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) from 1940 to 2004, focusing on the socio-economic, environmental, and ecological factors that drive their emergence. The study analyzes 335 EID events, finding a significant increase in EID events over time, with a peak in the 1980s coinciding with the HIV pandemic. Zoonotic pathogens, particularly those originating from wildlife, dominate EID events (60.3%), and their incidence is increasing. Bacteria and rickettsia cause 54.3% of EID events, reflecting a high prevalence of drug-resistant microbes. The spatial distribution of EID events is concentrated in higher latitudes, with hotspots in regions like the northeastern United States, western Europe, Japan, and southeastern Australia. Socioeconomic factors, such as human population density and growth, are significant predictors of EID events, while environmental factors like latitude and rainfall play a role in vector-borne diseases. The study highlights the need for better allocation of global resources to address EID hotspots in lower latitudes, emphasizing the importance of health monitoring and conservation efforts to reduce the risk of future zoonotic disease emergence.The article examines the global trends in emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) from 1940 to 2004, focusing on the socio-economic, environmental, and ecological factors that drive their emergence. The study analyzes 335 EID events, finding a significant increase in EID events over time, with a peak in the 1980s coinciding with the HIV pandemic. Zoonotic pathogens, particularly those originating from wildlife, dominate EID events (60.3%), and their incidence is increasing. Bacteria and rickettsia cause 54.3% of EID events, reflecting a high prevalence of drug-resistant microbes. The spatial distribution of EID events is concentrated in higher latitudes, with hotspots in regions like the northeastern United States, western Europe, Japan, and southeastern Australia. Socioeconomic factors, such as human population density and growth, are significant predictors of EID events, while environmental factors like latitude and rainfall play a role in vector-borne diseases. The study highlights the need for better allocation of global resources to address EID hotspots in lower latitudes, emphasizing the importance of health monitoring and conservation efforts to reduce the risk of future zoonotic disease emergence.