The European Union One Health 2021 Zoonoses Report provides an overview of zoonotic diseases, which are infectious diseases transmitted between animals and humans. These diseases are caused by harmful microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. People may be infected through direct or indirect contact with infected animals, contaminated environments, or food and water. The report is based on data collected annually by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) from EU Member States and other European countries. The data cover the occurrence of zoonotic microorganisms in food and feed, food-producing animals, companion and wild animals, and human zoonotic illnesses. The data are analyzed and interpreted using a "One Health" approach, which integrates human, animal, and environmental health. The report includes detailed occurrence data on the main zoonoses reported by EU Member States and other European countries. Data are reported to EFSA by food safety and veterinary authorities and to ECDC by public health authorities. The report includes data on both mandatory and non-mandatory zoonoses. In 2021, the two most commonly reported zoonoses were campylobacteriosis and salmonellosis, with a total of 127,840 and 60,050 human cases, respectively. There was an increase in cases compared to 2020, but this must be interpreted in light of the easing of lockdowns due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The report also highlights the importance of controlling zoonotic microorganisms in food-producing animals to reduce the burden of human illness. In 2021, 16 Member States and the UK (Northern Ireland) achieved targets for reducing Salmonella prevalence in poultry. The report also provides updates on various zoonoses, including tuberculosis due to brucellosis, Coxiella burnetii, echinococcosis, rabies, toxoplasmosis, trichinellosis, tuberculosis due to Mycobacterium bovis or M. caprae, and tularemia. In 2021, 27 Member States and the UK (Northern Ireland) reported 4,005 foodborne outbreaks, with a significant increase in the number of human cases. Salmonella, particularly S. Enteritidis, remained the most frequently reported causative agent in foodborne outbreaks. Outbreaks linked to the consumption of vegetables and juices rose considerably in 2021 compared to previous years.The European Union One Health 2021 Zoonoses Report provides an overview of zoonotic diseases, which are infectious diseases transmitted between animals and humans. These diseases are caused by harmful microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. People may be infected through direct or indirect contact with infected animals, contaminated environments, or food and water. The report is based on data collected annually by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) from EU Member States and other European countries. The data cover the occurrence of zoonotic microorganisms in food and feed, food-producing animals, companion and wild animals, and human zoonotic illnesses. The data are analyzed and interpreted using a "One Health" approach, which integrates human, animal, and environmental health. The report includes detailed occurrence data on the main zoonoses reported by EU Member States and other European countries. Data are reported to EFSA by food safety and veterinary authorities and to ECDC by public health authorities. The report includes data on both mandatory and non-mandatory zoonoses. In 2021, the two most commonly reported zoonoses were campylobacteriosis and salmonellosis, with a total of 127,840 and 60,050 human cases, respectively. There was an increase in cases compared to 2020, but this must be interpreted in light of the easing of lockdowns due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The report also highlights the importance of controlling zoonotic microorganisms in food-producing animals to reduce the burden of human illness. In 2021, 16 Member States and the UK (Northern Ireland) achieved targets for reducing Salmonella prevalence in poultry. The report also provides updates on various zoonoses, including tuberculosis due to brucellosis, Coxiella burnetii, echinococcosis, rabies, toxoplasmosis, trichinellosis, tuberculosis due to Mycobacterium bovis or M. caprae, and tularemia. In 2021, 27 Member States and the UK (Northern Ireland) reported 4,005 foodborne outbreaks, with a significant increase in the number of human cases. Salmonella, particularly S. Enteritidis, remained the most frequently reported causative agent in foodborne outbreaks. Outbreaks linked to the consumption of vegetables and juices rose considerably in 2021 compared to previous years.