Emerging Infections/Diseases of Zoonotic Origin

Emerging Infections of Zoonotic Origin
Name
Institutional Affiliation
Emerging Infections of Zoonotic Origin
Thousands of people around the world fall sick every year due to the spread of diseases between animals and people (zoonotic infections) (CDC.gov., 2018). These diseases often cause death among people. Animals are quite beneficial to human beings, and people interact with them on a daily basis. Animals are also a vital source of food including meat, eggs, and dairy products (CDC.gov., 2018). Nonetheless, some of these animals can carry harmful microorganisms that can be transmitted to people resulting in illnesses known as zoonotic diseases. These ailments can be caused by microorganisms such as viruses, bacteria, and fungi (van Doorn, 2014). Zoonotic illnesses are common in America and around the world. Averagely, scientist claim that 75% of emerging infectious diseases affecting people around the world are often spread from animals (CDC.gov., 2018). Examples include nipha virus, bovine spongiform encephalitis, and avian influenza. Other zoonotic infections with less public awareness include dog rabies brucellosis, taeniasis, and hydatosis.
Lately, there has been a substantial increase in the emergence of zoonotic infections. Scientists estimate that there are over 1000 known microorganisms whereby around sixty percent of the pathogens are transferred to people by animals and depend on them for existence (Wang & Crameri, 2014). At the same time, viral infections of zoonotic origin have proven to be prone to emergence.

Some of the reasons why these pathogens emerge frequently include the fact that effective antivirals are limited. This makes it hard to control these infections. Another reason is that viruses exhibited a wide range of diversity. More so, some of the factors that often lead to the emergence of zoonotic infections include changes in the environment, mutations of pathogens, the evolution of farming practices and human demography. Other factors that contribute to the spread of these diseases include religious belief and even food habits.
References
CDC.gov. (2018). Zoonotic Diseases | One Health | CDC. CDC.gov. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/onehealth/basics/zoonotic-diseases.htmlZoonotic Diseases | One Health | CDC. (2018). Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/onehealth/basics/zoonotic-diseases.html
van Doorn, H. (2014). Emerging infectious diseases. Medicine, 42(1), 60-63. doi: 10.1016/j.mpmed.2013.10.014v
Wang, L. F., & Crameri, G. (2014). Emerging zoonotic viral diseases. Rev sci tech Off int Epiz, 33(569-81).