Phys.org November 22, 2021
According to the scientists the next pandemic is likely to emerge from a community as people demolish forest, they not only accelerate global warming but also dramatically increase their risk of exposure to disease. Lurking in mammals and birds are about 1.6 million viruses, some of which will be deadly when they leap to humans. Scientists say that disease hot zones are multiplying from Africa to South America, and that deforestation has already triggered a rise in infectious disease. Zoologists have traced about a third of all known outbreaks around the world to rapid land use change. The problem is worsened by warmer temperatures brought by climate change. According to the scientists when 40% of a land area has been destroyed the region hits a sort of tipping point, wild animals are pushed closer to humans for food, and viruses begin to spread. Much of the research into zoonotic spillover has so far focused on Asia and Africa, but there is increasing attention on the Amazon. Outbreaks of zoonotic disease have increased globally in the last 30 years, and the virus that will mutate to cause the next one, though perhaps undetected, is already out there…read more.
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