With the increasing global human population and the continuous decrease of habitats particularly of land vertebrates, the likelihood of epidemies such as the current one increases.
Here is a newspaper article (in French) on this topic signed by many Swiss scientists:
https://www.letemps.ch/opinions/prochaine-pandemie-previsible-temps-prendre-serieux-crise-ecologique
The displaced wildlife due to habitat destruction comes in contact of human beings, and during this process the pathogens get transmitted from wildlife to humans.
https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s10980-020-00995-w.pdf
Yes, because habitat destruction increases the risk of exposure to bat viruses
The displaced wildlife due to habitat destruction comes in contact of human beings, and during this process the pathogens get transmitted from wildlife to humans.
https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s10980-020-00995-w.pdf
I think the global reduction of habitats of wildlife is important but dietary habits of consuming wild animals are much more important.
This is a good question to follow and a very interesting topic. Everyone has a point. Prof. Barbara Sawicka has explained well and I think that's the reason behind and Dr. Arvind Singh mentioned that is due to habitat destruction comes in contact with human beings, which are correct. Thanks to all.
Almost all recent pandemics can be traced to animals which are predominantly not domesticated. Furthermore, the emergence of the diseases is often correlated with deforestation and the increase in livestock on the edge of a reduced natural habitat. Examples include the Nipah virus in Malasia (interaction of pigs production with the fruit bat) as well as SARS (linked to bats) and Ebola caused by transition from bats living in the regions with intensive deforestation. The outlook for the future is not optimistic as we can expect further outbreaks of very dangerous diseases. It is even possible that the problem can only be solved by changing the dietary practices.
Reference:
M. Di Marco et al. (2020)
Sustainable development must account for pandemic risk
PNAS | February 25, 2020 | vol. 117 | no. 8
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