Science March 10, 2022
According to researchers in Australia zoonotic diseases have been part of the human experience since the origin of our species. The key issue is not that zoonotic diseases appear in humans, but that their emergence seems to be increasing in frequency. Major changes in land use, increasing urbanization, and global connectedness will accelerate the rate of zoonotic events. A core question is whether particular animal groups are common sources of zoonotic viruses. By understanding why and how zoonotic diseases emerge in humans, as well as the barriers to this process, it is possible to be better prepared to prevent pandemics like COVID-19 from happening again or at least respond more effectively. Although bats seemingly tolerate a high diversity and abundance of viruses, the underlying immunological, physiological, and ecological reasons for this are not fully understood. It is imperative that some form of global “pandemic radar” is established in which information on sporadic zoonotic events to full-blown disease outbreaks is shared rapidly and freely. Such a radar can involve regular immunological surveillance…read more.