Global Wildlife Trade Increases Risk of Animal-to-Human Disease Spread
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An analysis of 40 years of trade data shows that the worldwide trade in wild mammals creates repeated opportunities for pathogens to jump from animals to humans. The study, published in the journal Science, highlights the public health risks posed by both legal and illegal wildlife commerce. This research provides a data-driven framework for assessing and managing these risks.
Facts First
- Global trade in wild mammals increases opportunities for pathogens to jump to humans over time.
- The analysis spans 40 years of trade records on thousands of species to assess public health risks.
- Both legal and illegal wildlife trade create repeated close contact between animals, pathogens, and people.
- Several major diseases originated in animals, including COVID-19, HIV/AIDS, Ebola, Mpox, and Marburg virus.
- Apes, which are close human relatives, share many diseases with humans and are part of the trade.
What Happened
An interdisciplinary research team analyzed trade records spanning the last 40 years on thousands of species to assess the public health risks of legal and illegal wildlife trade. The team focused on mammals and published its findings in the journal Science. The research states that worldwide trade in wild mammals... creates more opportunities for pathogens to mutate and jump from animals into humans. This trade involves animals being legally shipped around the world for food and sold as pets.
Why this Matters to You
The global movement of wildlife may increase your community's exposure to novel diseases. This research suggests that managing wildlife trade could be a key part of preventing future pandemics, which have profound impacts on health, economies, and daily life. The study provides a scientific basis for policies that could make international commerce safer for public health.
What's Next
The published framework could be used by governments and health organizations to better assess and monitor the disease risks associated with specific wildlife trade pathways. This may lead to more targeted regulations and surveillance efforts aimed at high-risk species or trade practices to reduce future spillover events.