Wildlife trade increases pathogen transmission: What 40 years of data say about spillover
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A new study reveals a close correlation between species in the wildlife trade and animals that are known to have passed pathogens on to humans, highlighting the need for better disease surveillance and outbreak preparation. The researchers found that among 2,079 traded mammal species, 41 percent shared at least one transmissible pathogen with humans, compared to just 6.4 percent of nontraded animals.
The wildlife trade encompasses pet sales, meat markets, and medicine, involving about 25 percent of mammal species. A new study published in Science reveals a close correlation between species in the wildlife trade and animals that are known to have passed pathogens on to humans. Researchers analyzed 40 years of data on the wildlife trade and compared it with a dataset of pathogens found in different species. They found that traded mammal species are more likely to share transmissible pathogens with humans. The study highlights the need for better disease surveillance and outbreak preparation. The researchers hope their work will inspire more preparation and regulation of the wildlife trade to prevent potential disease outbreaks.
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