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In a groundbreaking initiative, a team of 25 scientists from around the globe has outlined a comprehensive roadmap to avert future pandemics by safeguarding natural habitats and promoting biodiversity. Their proposed strategy, published in Nature Communications, aims to mitigate the risk of zoonotic disease transmission by addressing the underlying ecological factors that facilitate pathogen spillover from animals to humans.
The onset of pandemics typically occurs when disease-carrying animals, such as bats, come into close contact with humans or livestock, facilitating the transfer of novel pathogens. Examples include viruses like SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV-1, Nipah, Hendra, and potentially Ebola, all of which originated from animal hosts. Professor Raina Plowright, the lead author of the study and a professor at Cornell University, underscores the importance of preventing pathogen transmission at its source rather than solely focusing on containment after an outbreak occurs.
The proposed prevention strategy draws from insights gleaned from previous studies, particularly those examining the spread of the Hendra virus from bats to horses and humans. These studies revealed that environmental disturbances, such as habitat loss and disruption of food sources, can lead to increased stress among bat populations, amplifying their viral shedding and facilitating transmission to other species. By preserving natural habitats and ensuring adequate food sources for wildlife, the roadmap aims to disrupt the ecological mechanisms that drive zoonotic disease transmission.
Key interventions outlined in the roadmap include:
- Protecting natural habitats and ensuring a consistent food supply for wildlife, especially during critical life stages like reproduction and migration.
- Safeguarding areas where animals congregate or roost, such as caves and canopies, to prevent population splintering and viral shedding.
- Establishing buffer zones between human settlements and wildlife habitats to minimize contact and transmission risks.
- Providing communities at risk of pathogen exposure with necessary protections and resources to mitigate disease transmission.
The study advocates for the establishment of an international agency dedicated to pandemic prevention and response, tasked with synthesizing data on ecological integrity, landscape intactness, and biodiversity metrics.
Funded by various institutions including the Cornell Center for Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness, and Response, the National Science Foundation, and the National Institutes of Health, this pioneering research underscores the urgent need for proactive measures to address the root causes of pandemics. By prioritizing conservation efforts and biodiversity preservation, the proposed roadmap offers a promising path towards preventing future public health crises on a global scale.
