This study investigates the evolutionary drivers and correlates of viral host jumps, focusing on the transition of viruses from non-human vertebrates to humans. Using a comprehensive suite of network and phylogenetic analyses, the authors found that humans are a significant source of viral spillover events, with more viral host jumps from humans to other animals than vice versa. They also observed heightened evolution in viral lineages involved in host jumps, with viruses having broader host ranges experiencing less adaptation. The study further revealed that the genomic targets of natural selection associated with host jumps vary across different viral families, with structural or auxiliary genes being the primary targets of selection. These findings highlight the importance of understanding the broader evolutionary processes surrounding host jumps to better predict and manage viral threats across species boundaries. The research underscores the need for more comprehensive genomic surveillance and the integration of genomics into ecological and phenotypic analyses to improve our understanding of viral emergence and spillover dynamics.This study investigates the evolutionary drivers and correlates of viral host jumps, focusing on the transition of viruses from non-human vertebrates to humans. Using a comprehensive suite of network and phylogenetic analyses, the authors found that humans are a significant source of viral spillover events, with more viral host jumps from humans to other animals than vice versa. They also observed heightened evolution in viral lineages involved in host jumps, with viruses having broader host ranges experiencing less adaptation. The study further revealed that the genomic targets of natural selection associated with host jumps vary across different viral families, with structural or auxiliary genes being the primary targets of selection. These findings highlight the importance of understanding the broader evolutionary processes surrounding host jumps to better predict and manage viral threats across species boundaries. The research underscores the need for more comprehensive genomic surveillance and the integration of genomics into ecological and phenotypic analyses to improve our understanding of viral emergence and spillover dynamics.