News

UN Warns Of More Animal To Human Viruses

WASHINGTON, July 7 — Further outbreaks will emerge unless governments take active measures to prevent other zoonotic diseases from crossing into the human population, reported Anadolu Agency based on a UN report Monday.

COVID-19, Ebola, MERS, West Nile, and Rift Valley fever are caused by viruses that have jumped from animal hosts to the human population.

Titled ‘Preventing the Next Pandemic: Zoonotic diseases and how to break the chain of transmission,’ the report is a joint effort by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI).

The report identifies seven trends driving the increasing emergence of zoonotic diseases that are passed to humans from an animal source.

Among them are “increased demand for animal protein; a rise in intense and unsustainable farming; the increased use and exploitation of wildlife; and the climate crisis.”

“The science is clear that if we keep exploiting wildlife and destroying our ecosystems, then we can expect to see a steady stream of these diseases jumping from animals to humans in the years ahead,” said UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen.

Noting that pandemics are devastating human lives and countries’ economies, Andersen said the poorest and most vulnerable suffer from them the most.

“To prevent future outbreaks, we must become much more deliberate about protecting our natural environment,” she added.

According to UNEP, every year, some two million people, mostly in low- and middle-income countries, die from neglected zoonotic diseases.

The novel coronavirus pandemic has claimed over 537,000 lives in 188 countries and regions since originating in Wuhan, China in December. The US, Brazil, India, and Russia are currently the worst-hit countries.

More than 11.5 million COVID-19 cases have been reported worldwide, with recoveries exceeding 6.28 million, according to figures compiled by US-based Johns Hopkins University.

Sources: BERNAMA

Adib Mohd

Recent Posts

SEACare 2025 Solidifies Malaysia’s Leadership in Southeast Asia’s Healthcare Landscape

Malaysia’s commitment to transforming its healthcare system takes centre stage this week as SEACare 2025,… Read More

1 day ago

Drop: A First Date That Turns Into a Psychological Minefield

What happens when trust, trauma, and tequila meet at the same table?  That’s the unnerving… Read More

1 day ago

SME Bank Collaborates with Autism Cafe Project to Empower Autistic Entrepreneurs

Small Medium Enterprise Development Bank Malaysia Berhad (“SME Bank”) has partnered with The Autism Cafe… Read More

1 day ago

Pahlawan Malaysia 2025: Malaysia’s Premier Obstacle Sports Competition Set to Energize the Nation at the Curve, Mutiara Damansara

The Malaysia Obstacle Race Sports Association is proud to announce Pahlawan Malaysia 2025, the premier… Read More

1 day ago

Tesla Malaysia is Celebrating the ‘Earth Week’ to Rewards Owners in Conjunction with a ‘Refer and Win’ Campaign

Embracing the mission to accelerate the world’s transition to sustainable energy, Tesla Malaysia launches the… Read More

1 day ago

Malaysia’s Viper Niza Racing On The Winners’ Podium At The 12 Hours Of Spa Francorchamps

Malaysians Douglas Khoo, Dominic Ang and Melvin Moh raced to a podium finish at last… Read More

1 day ago

This website uses cookies.