ANOTHER TRAGEDY ON WAY
UP to 850,000 undiscovered viruses are lurking in animals and waiting to infect humans.
Scientists say more deadly pandemics are “inevitable” unless action is taken to protect wildlife.
Andy Jones, of the University of East Anglia, said: “Biodiversity loss, climate change, international trade and uncontrolled population growth are all creating conditions that make another global pandemic inevitable.
“Unless urgent action is taken, the question is not if we will see another Covid- like pandemic – but when.”
Five new diseases are found in humans every year and any of these could morph into a pandemic, says the Intergovernmental SciencePolicy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services ( IPBES) report.
Infect
Coronavirus is believed to have spread from animals to humans at a wet market in Wuhan, China, at the end of last year. It is just one example of a zoonotic illness where it passes from one species to another.
The report estimates there are between 540,000 and 850,000 undiscovered viruses in birds and mammals that either have or could develop the ability to infect humans.
But it argues instead of reacting to the diseases with public health measures, we should focus on repairing our destruction of animals and nature. Experts are calling for an end to deforestation, intensive agriculture and the trade and consumption of wild species.
Peter Daszak of IPBES said: “We can escape the era of pandemics, but this requires a much greater focus on prevention in addition to reaction.”