The Impact of Human Activities on Zoonotic Infection Transmissions

Abstract

As humans expand their territories across more and more regions of the planet, activities such as deforestation, urbanization, tourism, wildlife exploitation, and climate change can have drastic consequences for animal movements and animal–human interactions. These events, especially climate change, can also affect the arthropod vectors that are associated with the animals in these scenarios. As the COVID-19 pandemic and other various significant outbreaks throughout the centuries have demonstrated, when animal patterns and human interactions change, so does the exposure of humans to zoonotic pathogens potentially carried by wildlife. With approximately 60% of emerging human pathogens and around 75% of all emerging infectious diseases being categorized as zoonotic, it is of great importance to examine the impact of human activities on the prevalence and transmission of these infectious agents. A better understanding of the impact of human-related factors on zoonotic disease transmission and prevalence can help drive the preventative measures and containment policies necessary to improve public health.

Possible Spreading of SARS-CoV-2 from Humans to Captive Non-Human Primates in the Peruvian Amazon

“…The Peruvian Amazon serves as a clear example of this perfect storm. Additionally, various studies suggest that the prevalence of infectious agents increases among captive wildlife populations [ 48 ], where interactions among different animal species can pose a potential risk for the transmission of various pathogenic agents. This includes instances of anthroponotic transmission, as suggested in our study.…”

Deforestation Through Wildfire: One Health-Based Youth Storytelling to Facilitate Education and Awareness

“…This exacerbates respiratory conditions and cardiovascular diseases, worsening human health outcomes. The loss of forest cover also disrupts local climates by altering temperature and precipitation patterns, impacting water sources or agricultural productivity and leading to food insecurity and malnutrition in communities (Esposito et al, 2023). Additionally, deforestation increases the risk of zoonotic disease transmission as human activities encroach upon wildlife habitats, potentially triggering outbreaks of diseases such as Lyme disease and COVID-19 (Esposito et al, 2023).…”

“…The loss of forest cover also disrupts local climates by altering temperature and precipitation patterns, impacting water sources or agricultural productivity and leading to food insecurity and malnutrition in communities (Esposito et al, 2023). Additionally, deforestation increases the risk of zoonotic disease transmission as human activities encroach upon wildlife habitats, potentially triggering outbreaks of diseases such as Lyme disease and COVID-19 (Esposito et al, 2023). Furthermore, individuals dependent on forests for sustenance and livelihoods, such as rural Indigenous communities, may experience psychological distress due to the loss of income and cultural ties, impacting mental well-being (Abbass et al, 2022).…”

Susceptibility of solid organ transplant recipients to viral pathogens with zoonotic potential: A mini-review

“…Expanding urban populations, housing overcrowding, poverty, tourism and business traveling, climate change, and environmental predatory exploitation are considered the primary contributing factors of zoonotic-transmitted illnesses in recent years. 1 , 2 , 3 Infectious diseases are highly prevalent in tropical countries with warm and humid climates throughout the year and may be aggravated by adverse environments, inadequate access to healthcare, and poor sanitation and hygiene.…”

“…Approximately 75 % of emerging infectious diseases may show a zoonotic transmission potential. 1 Increased interactions between humans and animals have raised the likelihood of transmitting and spreading zoonotic diseases. Viral pathogens are important zoonotic etiologies, especially to vulnerable populations, encompassing various transmissibility routes and dynamics; most of these may seriously threaten public health.…”