All articles tagged with #disease emergence
Viruses often disappear from human populations after an outbreak but persist in animal hosts, only to re-emerge later. Identifying these hidden animal reservoirs is critical for preventing future spillovers, yet scientists often lack the data to pinpoint where these viruses lurk. This gap in knowledge hampers efforts to stop the cycle of emergence and re-emergence.
Shi Zhengli, a prominent virologist known as "batwoman" for her research on viruses that jump from animals to humans, has warned that another coronavirus outbreak is highly likely in the future. In a recent study, Shi and her team from the Wuhan Institute of Virology identified 20 "highly risky" coronavirus species, with half of them rated as highly risky for human spillover. The study emphasizes the need for preparedness, as coronaviruses have caused previous outbreaks such as SARS and COVID-19. The research also identified potential hosts of the virus, including bats, rodents, camels, civets, pigs, and pangolins. The study gained attention on Chinese social media, reflecting a desire to move on from the subject after China's zero-COVID policies were reversed.