The risk of outbreaks of zoonotic diseases has been increasing in recent years, according to an expert.
SINGAPORE – With climate change, deforestation and the cross-border trade of animals increasing the risk of animals spreading diseases to humans and sparking pandemics, Singapore is boosting research into understanding the links between human, animal and environmental health.
“In addition to identifying the presence of a pathogen causing disease in animals, genomic analysis can potentially allow us to identify the source of the pathogen, determine its evolution and whether there are genetic markers that make them more virulent,” said Dr Chua Tze Hoong, group director of veterinary health at NParks.
Understanding these interactions will inform efforts to address these drivers and mitigate transmission risks. Currently, most attention and funding is allocated to outbreak detection and developing vaccines and treatments for diseases. However, less attention has been given to reducing the likelihood of transmission from animals to humans in global conversations, policy guidance and practice, said the paper’s authors.
But when natural habitats can provide adequate food, especially in winter months, the bats return to these habitats, gather in large numbers, and stop shedding viruses. According to the paper, published in the journal Nature Communications in March, excess heat and extreme climate events can also intensify processes that drive the spread of diseases.
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