[afro-nets] Emerging infectious diseases likely to worsen

[Leela McCullough <leela@healthnet.org>]

Problem of emerging infectious diseases likely to worsen
--------------------------------------------------------
26 November 2005
http://bmj.bmjjournals.com/cgi/content/full/331/7527/1214

Emerging infectious diseases pose a global threat to human and
animal health, and the problem is likely to worsen, warns an ex-
pert in this week's British Medical Journal (BMJ).

The recent emergence of diseases, such as AIDS, SARS and avian
flu, have catapulted emerging infectious diseases to the top of
the medical and political agendas, and have highlighted the im-
portance of wildlife as reservoirs or vectors for disease,
writes Dr Andrew Cunningham.

Of pathogens causing emerging infectious diseases, 75% are
zoonotic (able to transmit from animals to humans), with wild-
life being an increasingly important source.

But why are we now seeing an apparently rapid increase in the
emergence of new zoonoses from wildlife?

One of the major drivers is closer human contact with wildlife,
primarily caused by human encroachment into, and modification
of, wildlife habitat. For example, Ebola virus outbreaks often
are linked to hunting for "bushmeat" or to mining development,
and the AIDS pandemic originated from human encroachment into
African forests for food.

The rise in international trade and travel is also important.
The emergence of West Nile virus in North America, and AIDS and
SARS globally, for example, arose from such travel and trade.

This globalisation of people and products is difficult to con-
trol and is largely related to increasing air transportation.
With world air travel expected to grow at about 5% a year for at
least the next 20 years, the problem of emerging infectious dis-
eases will continue to grow, he warns.

Emerging infectious diseases are not only a problem for human
health but are a major threat to animal welfare and to species
conservation. Some emerging infectious diseases also threaten
domesticated species.

Through emerging infectious diseases, therefore, the medical,
veterinary, and wildlife conservation professions, share a com-
mon agenda. The problem is not small, and tackling it will not
be easy, but recognising a common problem is, at least, a start,
he concludes.

Editorial: A walk on the wild side - emerging wildlife diseases
BMJ Volume 331, pp 1214-5
http://bmj.bmjjournals.com/cgi/content/full/331/7527/1214

Emma Dickinson
mailto:edickinson@bmj.com
BMJ-British Medical Journal
http://www.bmj.com