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Health & Medicine
Pradeep Kumar

13/07/21 12:20 PM IST

Zoonotic diseases

In news

The researchers surveyed the association of 226 viruses responsible for zoonotic diseases with more than 800 mammal species distinguished into three categories: traded, non-traded, and domesticated mammals.

Research
  • A quarter of mammal species in wildlife trade host 75 per cent of zoonotic diseases that can spread from animals to humans.
  • According to the research, primates, bats, ungulates and carnivores alone host 58 per cent of the known zoonotic viruses present in the wildlife trade.
  • The authors also noted that ongoing deforestation, land-use change and habitat fragmentation could result in direct contact and disease transmission between humans and the species listed in their study.
Way Forward
  • Strong policy measures are needed for curtailing and monitoring wildlife trade.
  • According to Kamal Bawa, the National Mission on Biodiversity and Human Wellbeing has proposed the establishment of surveillance sites to prevent outbreaks of infectious diseases.
  • Such sites could also be used for pathogen surveillance in confiscated wildlife specimens.
Zoonotic diseases
  • Zoonotic diseases are caused by harmful germs like viruses, bacterial, parasites, and fungi.
  • These germs can cause many different types of illnesses in people and animals, ranging from mild to serious illness and even death. Animals can sometimes appear healthy even when they are carrying germs that can make people sick, depending on the zoonotic disease.
  • Zoonotic diseases are very common, both in the United States and around the world. Scientists estimate that more than 6 out of every 10 known infectious diseases in people can be spread from animals, and 3 out of every 4 new or emerging infectious diseases in people come from animals. 
Source: DTE

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