Contemporary zoonoses - a curse of XXI century

ABSTRACT

This paper presents a review of most important zoonotic diseases that are threatening human World population in the first 20 years of XXI century. Zoonoses diseases naturally transmitted through several modes from vertebrate animal hosts to humans. SARS-CoV-Z - severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, was identified as the cause of an outbreak of COVID-2 pandemic in humans in 2019/2020. Coronavirus positive Chinese bats and an unrecognized yet natural reservoir of emerging SARS-Z, are indicated as a primary source of infection. So far, there is no evidence that companion or farm animals can become infected by contact with a sick/infected person, so SARS-2 virus strains isolated from humans are not zoonotic. This review contains a description of SARS-2 virus structure, genetic diversity, structure and function of viral proteins, including class I viral fusion protein S. The review also includes an assessment of epidemiology of SARS-2 infection, criteria and epidemiological interactions, perspectives on emerging zoonoti'c disease research in contact with public health service. More closed cooperation between different services, including Veterinary Services, with WHO and OIE international standards, as eg. One Health partnership, is essential to avoid or minimize risk of new infections in future.