Zoonosis and infectious diseases

In making our way through the COVID-19 pandemic, it has become even more imperative to understand the mechanism of an infection and its evolution as an infectious agent. Given that, most diseases that have affected us to date originated from nonhuman vertebrates. Therefore, it is worth questioning this perspective in light of the pandemic. This chapter summarizes what is known so far regarding factors that influence zoonosis and identifies international bodies and recognizes their efforts in pursuing a healthier future. Finally, we critically analyze a widely cited study on the origin of SARS-CoV-2 to encourage future resolution of the debate. © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.