Significance of nondomestic animals in 21st century epidemics

ABSTRACT

The risk of a new epidemic zoonosis is very high as shown by the experience with COVlD-19 and, more recently, by monkeypox spreading in Europe. The aim of this article is to present a brief analysis of those increasing threats, within the frame of One Health approach. As history shows, wild animals have been always considered as a potential threat to public health. First, we went back to "Black Death" (Plaque), pandemic of XIV century, caused by Yersinia pestis transmitted by fleas rats, that killed one third of European population. We also recalled AIDS pandemic, which, similarly to SARS or MERS, begun with virus transmission from exotic animals and has spread to western countries leading to numerous fatal cases in humans. Environmental changes, including climate alterations, globalization, anthropopressure of wildlife habitat are nowadays considered as the major drivers of facilitated dissemination of infectious diseases. Zoonoses represent 75% of all human diseases. Some of the most important reservoirs for zoonotic diseases are rodents and bats, while blood-sucking arthropods are important vectors of emerging diseases.