Wildlife trade and zoonoses

Overview of the wildlife trade and its connection to zoonotic diseases

Wildlife Trade and Zoonoses

Ivory trade

The wildlife trade involves the legal and illegal commerce of wild animal and plant species across the globe. This trade is a significant driver of biodiversity loss and poses a substantial threat to the survival of many species. Additionally, the wildlife trade is closely linked to the emergence and spread of zoonotic diseases, which are diseases that can be transmitted from animals to humans.

Overview of Wildlife Trade

The wildlife trade encompasses a wide range of activities, including the sale of live animals, animal parts, and derived products. It is driven by demand for pets, traditional medicine, food, and luxury items. The trade can be legal, regulated by international agreements such as the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), or illegal, involving poaching and smuggling.

Illicit wildlife market in Myanmar

Illegal wildlife trade is a major concern due to its impact on biodiversity and its role in the spread of zoonotic diseases. Markets where live animals are sold in close proximity to humans create opportunities for pathogens to jump from animals to humans, potentially leading to outbreaks of new diseases.

Zoonotic Diseases

Zoonotic diseases are infections that are naturally transmitted between animals and humans. They can be caused by a variety of pathogens, including viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites. Some well-known zoonotic diseases include HIV/AIDS, Ebola virus disease, avian influenza, and COVID-19.

Examples of zoonotic diseases

The emergence of zoonotic diseases is often linked to human activities that disrupt natural ecosystems, such as deforestation, urbanization, and the wildlife trade. These activities increase the likelihood of contact between humans and wildlife, facilitating the transmission of pathogens.

Mechanisms of Disease Transmission

Zoonotic diseases can be transmitted through various mechanisms, including direct contact with infected animals, consumption of contaminated food or water, and bites from infected vectors such as mosquitoes or ticks. The wildlife trade can facilitate these transmission pathways by bringing humans into closer contact with a diverse range of animal species.

Wildlife market in Jatinegara

In wildlife markets, animals from different regions and habitats are often kept in close quarters, increasing the risk of cross-species transmission of pathogens. This can lead to the emergence of new zoonotic diseases that can spread rapidly among human populations.

Antigenic Shift and Pandemic Potential

Antigenic shift illustration

One of the mechanisms by which new zoonotic diseases can emerge is through antigenic shift, a process where two or more different strains of a virus combine to form a new subtype. This can occur when different strains of a virus infect the same host, such as in a wildlife market setting. Antigenic shift can lead to the emergence of novel viruses with pandemic potential, as seen with the H1N1 influenza pandemic in 2009.

Related Pages

• Biodiversity
• Conservation biology
• Epidemiology
• Infectious disease
• Public health