Covid-19 is a zoonotic disease. This means the Sars-CoV-2 virus causing it jumped from an animal to a human. Moreover, the frequency of similar events may be on the increase, although this may also be due to our understanding. However, the United Nations Environment Program thinks the next animal-to-human viral transfer could be sooner than we think.
The Next Animal-to-Human Viral Transfer Is Not Automatic
The SARS, Ebola and West Nile viruses are all zoonotic diseases. The UN Environment Program blames these on human activity. Our burgeoning population, insatiable demand for human protein, and unsustainable agricultural culture is driving wild animals close enough for the virus to jump.
Their report suggests the next animal-to-human viral transfer may be imminent. Unless, that is we take back control over land degradation, and wildlife exploitation. Resource extraction and climate change also alter the way animals interact with humans. All of this, just like human-to-human COVID-19 transmission is in our hands.
At Least Six Major Animal-to-Human Outbreaks in Past 100 Years
That sticky piece of evidence comes from Inger Andersen, under-secretary general and executive director of the UN Environment Program. That’s because she says pre-COVID-19 zoonotic diseases caused $100 billion damage in the past two decades.
Every year, two million people die from endemic zoonotic diseases such as anthrax, bovine tuberculosis and rabies. However, this time, we have a zoonotic viral disease in our home towns. But for much of Africa it’s more of the same.
The chances appear good the next animal-to-human viral transfer will involve a consumer animal product. World leaders could bring wild meat trade to a halt if they wanted. But they don’t seem to want to. We have to ask the question why … and to what extent are consumers key contributors to the stalemate.
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Preview Image: Possibilities for Zoonotic Disease
