Wildlife Trade Animals 1.5 Times More Likely to Spread Disease to Humans
Animals sold in wildlife trade are 1.5 times more likely to carry diseases that can spread to humans than wild animals not traded, according to a new study published in Science journal. The research looked at pangolins, giant rats and other exotic animals sold for food and traditional medicine.
A major new study reveals that animals caught and sold in wildlife markets pose a significantly higher disease risk to humans than previously understood.
Researchers found that traded wildlife species are 1.5 times more likely to harbor viruses that can jump to humans compared to animals that stay in the wild. The study, published in the journal Science, examined various species including pangolins and giant rats commonly sold for food and traditional medicine.
The research shows a clear pattern: the longer humans have been interacting with a particular animal species, the more viruses we share with them. This happens through both legal and illegal wildlife trade that brings people into close contact with exotic animals.
Wildlife markets exist around the world, selling animals for food, medicine, and other uses. These markets create perfect conditions for viruses to jump from animals to humans, especially when different species are kept in crowded conditions.
The findings help scientists better understand how diseases like COVID-19 might emerge and spread from animals to people.
This matters because wildlife trade happens worldwide, bringing people into close contact with animals that could carry the next pandemic virus. Understanding which animals pose the biggest disease risk helps health officials prevent outbreaks before they start.
Researchers will likely use this data to identify high-risk wildlife species and improve disease monitoring at wildlife markets globally.
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