Coronavirus is Not the Last of Its Kind
The source of the next pandemic may be in your neighbourhood’s meat market.
By Siddhi Jena
During this uncertain and perilous time, the world has faced many problems, with countless deaths of loved ones, loss of employment or/and homelessness, this pandemic has left us exhausted. While the world waits for a magical cure and pins their hopes on the medical community we forget that this isn’t a rarity, quite hauntingly this is the first of many pandemics of the same kind or worse yet to come.
Humans tend to build things by destroying them first. As we expanded, developed, overcame obstacles, and reached heights of science and technology like never before, we blurred the lines between our green forests and cities through deforestation and animal cultivation.
Viruses such as Coronavirus have previously been rare because they are classified as zoonotic viruses. Infamous examples include Ebola, rabies, and SARS. The nature of such microorganisms is that they are initially pathogens, a bacterium present in every species and recognised as a familiar particle. When one species’ pathogens manage to reach another species, our bacteria-fighting cells are unable to distinguish them as foreign particles and protect us from their harm, causing severe symptoms.
Evidence suggests the number of outbreaks from zoonotic diseases has increased significantly. In 1980 there were less than 500, and in early 2000 it crossed 1000. Since then the number of outbreaks has only grown exponentially, increasing by a large number in the last decade.
So what are we doing lately that is increasing the likelihood of such pathogens to find us?
As we increased in population, so did our agricultural and infrastructural needs. Humans have a large appetite for land. Data (Wired, Brandon Keim 10.31.11. 6:30 AM) from 2011 shows that 83% of the terrestrial land on Earth is being used by humans, and more is being modified. Leaving less than 15% for the myriads of other species; species that carry pathogens that are highly dangerous for us. As we build into their homes, the proximity between us and the other animals decreases, bringing us much closer than usual.
A paradigm of this is the origin of Ebola; it is conjectured to originate from Meliandou, a small Guinean township surrounded by forests filled with bats. One bat infected patient zero, a child named Emile, who died soon after being infected. Albeit, when humans proliferate, most animal species decrease in population; however, this brings opportunity for species who are more adaptable to change, more likely to grow in number, and consequently, better carriers of diseases.
Additionally, the production of meat has changed drastically over years. With an ever-increasing population, the demand for poultry, red meat, and exotic animals such as horses and ostrich increases too. The animals are kept in small tightly packed places close to other animals, commonly known as wet markets, opening a window for pathogens of the animals to switch and create a deadly zoonotic virus similar to Coronavirus.
Wet markets are the leading cause of virus outbreak; previously SARS, and now even coronavirus is said to originate from wet markets in China. They are markets where wild and exotic animals are butchered and sold. Animals in such places are stacked in tight cages on top of each other, leaving them with no physical room. When animals are held in uncivilized situations like this, their natural bodily fluids leak into other cages and reach other animals. This summons an ideal environment for zoonotic viruses to form. If, for instance, a virus is formed, and a human comes in contact with it — even worse, consumes it — the disease can so quickly spread from person to person. Authorizers have been aware of this issue, and have previously taken action. However, due to substantial economic benefits, they let the regulations fall out.
Only 8% of the population identifies themselves as vegans, vegetarians, and related categories; hence, such markets will be up and running for several years to come.
In essence, the coronavirus is not just another apocalyptic part of 2020’s simulation. We have made it more likely for viruses such as this to reach us and harm us to such great extents. We can rely on vaccines and pause our lives every 2–5 years every time a virus like this surfaces, or we can adapt to more sustainable habits and aim for a greener future.
Works Cited
Keim, Brandon. “Making Sense of 7 Billion People.” Wired, Conde Nast, 31 Oct. 2011, www.wired.com/2011/10/7-billion-people/.
Samuel, Sigal. “Our Environmental Practices Make Pandemics like the Coronavirus More Likely.” Vox, Vox, 31 Mar. 2020, www.vox.com/future-perfect/2020/3/31/21199917/coronavirus-covid-19-animals-pandemic-environment-climate-biodiversity.
Steinfeld, Henning, and Pierre Gerber. “Livestock Production and the Global Environment: Consume Less or Produce Better?” PNAS, National Academy of Sciences, 26 Oct. 2010, www.pnas.org/content/107/43/18237.
“How Wildlife Trade Is Linked to Coronavirus.” Performance by Peter Li, YouTube , VOX , 6 Mar. 2020, youtu.be/TPpoJGYlW54.
