14 Zoonosis

This essay was composed in November 2024 and uses MLA documentation.

---

Introduction

Have you or a loved one contracted Coronavirus? What about Malaria or Lyme disease? If so, then you have experienced zoonosis. Zoonosis is any disease or infection that is naturally transmissible from vertebrate animals to humans (World Health Organization). In simpler terms, zoonosis is defined as “a disease which can be transmitted to humans from animals” (Oxford Languages).

Zoonosis is a common phenomenon, with 3 out of 4 new or emerging infectious diseases in people coming from animals (CDC). Many global pandemics and epidemics have been results of zoonotic diseases or infections. Covid-19, Spanish Flu, HIV/AIDS, The Black Death (Bubonic Plague), and SARS are all forms of zoonosis that have caused mass fatalities. These massive fatalities have been brought to the attention of many global health organizations and have sparked the need for a change. One United States news source highlights the urgency of taking measures to prevent another zoonotic pandemic claiming, “The devastation wrought by COVID-19 underscores the need for measures to minimize the chances of another zoonotic pandemic. That means radically changing how humans interact with wildlife and natural habitats” (Felbab-Brown). This emphasizes the necessity for humans to adopt preventative measures to avoid contraction of zoonosis. The European Union has also addressed this issue in a scientific report titled “The European Union One Health 2022 Zoonoses Report”. The report emphasizes on the importance of limiting zoonotic outbreaks stating, “Zoonotic diseases pose a significant threat to public health, animal health, and food safety. A coordinated one health approach is essential to effectively manage and mitigate these risks” (“European Union”). These statements from various organizations accentuate the global need for pandemic prevention and readiness.

Following the Coronavirus pandemic, many nations have been left wondering: is another zoonotic pandemic inevitable? Studies from multiple research facilities suggest a pandemic is likely to occur again: “A zoonotic pandemic is likely to occur within the next 50 years. Using this increased risk factor, the researchers estimate that a pandemic similar in scale to COVID-19 is likely within a span of 59 years, a result they write is ‘much lower than intuitively expected’” (National Library of Medicine). Although not included in the PNAS paper, researchers also calculated the probability of a pandemic capable of eliminating all human life, finding it statistically likely within the next 12,000 years (Duke University). Due to the inevitability of another pandemic, many researchers advocate for the focus on pandemic preparedness rather than pandemic prevention.

While many sources indicate another pandemic is forthcoming and preparedness is necessary, some individuals argue that another global zoonotic outbreak is not as threatening as it seems. Jair Messias Bolsonaro, the 38th president of Brazil made a public statement: “This is the reality: the virus is there. We have to face it, but face it like a man, damn it, not like a kid. We’ll confront the virus with reality. That’s life. We’re all going to die one day” (qtd. in Reuters). Many citizens interpreted this statement as the former president refusal to address the desperate need for action in the peak of the coronavirus pandemic. Additional statements reflecting a lack of urgency surrounding a pandemic have been made by President Donald Trump, at the time the 45th president of The United States. He publicly stated, “It’s going to disappear. One day, it’s like a miracle, it will disappear” (qtd. in Reuters). These statements present the ideologies that the Covid-19 pandemic and future pandemics do not pose a threat to global health and welfare.

Exploration of Zoonosis

Many well-known diseases are zoonotic including Rabies, Lyme disease, Ring Worm, Covid-19, Malaria, Cat Scratch Fever and HIV/AIDS. These diseases have negatively impacted human populations. Scientists estimate that more than 6 out of every 10 known infectious diseases in people can be spread from animals, and 3 out of every 4 new or emerging infectious diseases in people come from animals (CDC). These rates are likely due to frequent human interactions with wildlife and lack of education surrounding the dangers of zoonosis.

On a molecular level, zoonosis is contracted by animals which carry harmful germs like viruses, bacteria, parasites, and fungi. Transmission may occur through bites, meat consumption, scratches, animal salvia contact, animal blood contact, animal feces contact, and consumption of contaminated water (Cleveland Clinic). An infected animal may not show any signs or symptoms of zoonosis. One Reddit user shared their story surrounding unknowingly contracting zoonosis in a post stating, “I had no idea you can’t let indoor kittens play/scratch, but I’ve developed cat scratch fever” (U/shinatin). This post highlights the importance of awareness regarding zoonosis, as the author was not aware an indoor cat could contract cat scratch fever, leading to their transmission. This is one of many instances that highlights the importance of moderating contact between humans and animals to avoid zoonosis.

Pandemic History

Pandemics have been recorded since about 431-404 B.C.E., with the earliest recorded pandemic happening during the Peloponnesian War. The disease passed through Libya, Ethiopia, and Egypt. As much as two-thirds of the population lost their lives to this deadly pandemic (History). One commonly known pandemic is the Black Death, also known as the “Great death” which spread in the Mid-1300s. The Black Death plague arrived in Europe in October 1347, when 12 ships from the Black Sea docked at the Sicilian port of Messina. When the contents of the ships were revealed, authorities realized most sailors aboard the ships were dead, and those still alive were gravely ill. Sicilian authorities ordered the ships to leave the harbor, but it was too late: Over the next five years, the Black Death would kill more than 20 million people in Europe, or almost one-third of the continent’s population (History).

Covid-19 is a recent pandemic that has devastated the globe, with the first case appearing in 2019 and the Covid-19 vaccination becoming available in the United States in December of 2020. By September 2021, almost two years after COVID-19 was first identified, there had been more than 200 million confirmed cases and over 4.6 million lives lost to the disease (Moore). As of November 5th, 2024, over 775 million cases of Covid have been recorded since the start of the pandemic, and more than 7 million deaths have been recorded (World Health Organization).

Pandemic Likelihood

Many researchers find that the likelihood of another pandemic is high. According to one study, “the probability of a pandemic with similar impact to COVID-19 is about 2% in any year, meaning that someone born in the year 2000 would have about a 38% chance of experiencing one by now” (Penn). This quote demonstrates that another pandemic is very likely to happen and will likely happen again in our lifetime. Some researchers believe that environmental effects can encourage the spread of another pandemic. This is shown in a Harvard study interview, with Professor Yonatan Grad, who specializes in immunology and infectious diseases stating, “The big demographic changes that are coming, due to climate change as well as economic and other factors, will alter the landscape and create new risks, both for new pathogens to emerge and for known pathogens to re-emerge” (qtd. in Feldscher). This statement emphasizes the importance of addressing environmental changes to limit the risk of a future pandemic.

Pandemic Preparedness and Vaccination Conflict

Global efforts are being made to prepare for another pandemic and minimize the effects of emerging zoonotic diseases. The World Health Organization (WHO) has created a list of infectious diseases that are at risk of creating another global pandemic. This list consists of Crimean–Congo hemorrhagic fever, Ebola, Marburg, Lassa fever, MERS, SARS, Nipah virus infection and Zika (World Health Organization). By monitoring these prevalent diseases, governments can better prepare and reduce the likelihood of these diseases evolving into pandemics. Another way individuals can avoid contracting zoonosis is by taking preventative measures including avoiding animals’ bites, practicing proper hand washing, limiting contact with wildlife, and handling food with precaution (CDC).

One controversial solution to curing zoonosis diseases is vaccinations. Some organizations advocate for vaccines: “Now, for those fortunate to have access, we are in the unexpected and enviable position of having multiple vaccines that are well over 90% effective in preventing symptomatic disease for most variants and that also reduce hospitalization and deaths for all variants so far” (Edwards et al.). This quote demonstrates a government official website promoting the use of vaccines and praising them for their achievements. Other individuals such as Leonard Horowitz, an author who specializes in public health novels, warns against vaccination: “The greatest lie ever told is that vaccines are safe and effective” (qtd. in “TOP 25 VACCINES QUOTES”). Anti-vaccination activist Viera Scheibner further elaborates on this ideology stating, “A country which mandates vaccination is not a free country… It is a country of zombies who do what they are told by vested interests who intimidate them and use them to make money” (qtd. in “TOP 25 VACCINES QUOTES”). In fact, 22% of Americans self-identify as anti-vaxxers (Texas A&M University). This ongoing debate highlights the complexities and challenges in achieving widespread acceptance of vaccines as a cure to zoonosis.

Conclusion

In conclusion, zoonotic diseases pose a significant threat to global health, increasing the chances of another pandemic occurring. Historical events such as the Black Death and the plague during the Peloponnesian War, along with recent instances like Covid-19 highlight this risk. While many sources indicate the likelihood of another pandemic is high, other individuals remain unconcerned about the possibility of another zoonotic outbreak. Additionally, differing vaccination opinions also pose a barrier in the elimination of zoonosis outbreaks and diseases. In conducting future research, it is important to acknowledge the diverse opinions regarding the subject of zoonosis and pandemics. It is also important to consider that science has no boundaries, and research is constantly being conducted, and theories often change and adapt over time as new research is conducted. Therefore, another pandemic is inevitable, thus pandemic preparedness is essential.

Works Cited

CDC. “Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, 2024, www.cdc.gov/.

Duke University. “How Frequent Are Pandemics like the COVID-19 Outbreak?” World Economic Forum, 2 Sept. 2021, www.weforum.org/stories/2021/09/pandemics epidemics-disease-covid-likelyhood/. Accessed 19 Nov. 2024.

Edwards, Aled M., et al. “Stopping Pandemics before They Start: Lessons Learned from SARS CoV-2.” Science, vol. 375, no. 6585, 11 Mar. 2022, pp. 1133–1139, https://doi.org/10.1126/science.abn1900.

“The European Union One Health 2022 Zoonoses Report.” www.ecdc.europa.eu, 12 Dec. 2023, www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/publications-data/european-union-one-health-2022-zoonoses report.

Felbab-Brown, Vanda. “Preventing the next Zoonotic Pandemic.” Brookings, 6 Oct. 2020, www.brookings.edu/articles/preventing-the-next-zoonotic-pandemic/.

Feldscher, Karen. “The Next Pandemic: Not If, but When.” News, 12 Sept. 2024, www.hsph.harvard.edu/news/features/next-pandemic-not-if-but-when/.

History. “Pandemics That Changed History.” History, 27 Feb. 2019, www.history.com/topics/middle-ages/pandemics-timeline.

Moore, Sarah. “History of COVID-19.” News-Medical.net, 28 Sept. 2021, www.news medical.net/health/History-of-COVID-19.aspx.

National Library of Medicine. “National Library of Medicine – National Institutes of Health.” Nih.gov, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2018, www.nlm.nih.gov/.

Oxford Languages. “Oxford Dictionaries.” Oxford Dictionaries, Oxford University Press, 2024, languages.oup.com/.

Penn, Michael. “Statistics Say Large Pandemics Are More Likely than We Thought.” Duke Global Health Institute, 23 Aug. 2021, globalhealth.duke.edu/news/statistics-say-large pandemics-are-more-likely-we-thought.

Reuters. “Selected Quotes as COVID-19 Pandemic Reaches New Milestone.” ABS-CBN News, 29 Sept. 2020, news.abs-cbn.com/overseas/09/29/20/selected-quotes-as-covid-19- pandemic-reaches-new-milestone.

Texas A&M University. ““Concerning” Number of Americans Identify as Anti Vaxxers.” Futurity, 8 June 2021, www.futurity.org/how-many-americans-identify-as anti-vaxxers-2578842/.

“TOP 25 VACCINES QUOTES (of 227).” A-Z Quotes, www.azquotes.com/quotes/topics/vaccines.html.

U/shinatin. “School Manager by Family Zone.” Reddit.com, 2024, www.reddit.com/r/Wellthatsucks/comments/1acxahd/my_kitten_gave_me_cat_scratch_fe ver/. Accessed 19 Nov. 2024.

World Health Organization. “World Health Organization.” World Health Organization, 2024, www.who.int/.