What ecological process is the mechanism by which many zoonotic diseases make their initial jump from animals to humans?

Answer

Spillover.

When human encroachment into natural habitats brings humans and domestic animals into closer contact with wildlife reservoirs, the process known as spillover facilitates the jump of novel pathogens.

What ecological process is the mechanism by which many zoonotic diseases make their initial jump from animals to humans?
diseasepathogenInfectionemergence