Climate change and globalization can increase viral diseases
Sadia Noor Portia (7th semester – English Department,
Independent University, Bangladesh)
Over the past 50 years, different types of viruses have entered the human body from various wild animals. Many people have died of the virus. The amount of death due to the virus is very high. Coronavirus is the centre of discussion right now. It appears that 259 people have died so far, being infected by the coronavirus. Another 12 thousand of people are affected. Further, this coronavirus has spread over another 16 countries.
Professor Tim Benton, director of research at the Royal Institute of International Affairs, talked about a research study where it is said that many times in the past 50 years, the virus has been entered into the human body from various organisms.
If we look at the history of different viruses, it can be seen that the HIV/AIDS virus started from ape-like creatures in the 1980s. On the other hand, avian flu spread from birds from 2004-2007. Again, the swine flu virus spread from the body of the pig in 2009. Meanwhile, a national disease named Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) spread from bats and civets some time ago. Ebola disease which spread in Africa also started from the bats.
From various issues, information reports and history of the virus, it can be said that people have always been infected with multiple diseases coming from the body of some organism. Hundreds of people have died. The fear has been created. That is, we can see that infections happen in the human body; most of it comes from animals, especially wildlife.
It is believed that such problems can increase further due to climate change and globalization as the nature of human interaction with animals is changing because of these reasons.
Due to various reasons, 55(%) percent of the human now live in the city. And the wild animals are living in these big cities — specifically animals of different species including monkeys, rats, squirrels, foxes, and various birds. In the park in the city, those animals eat the food left by humans. The distances between humans and animals are not very long. It would be wrong to just say in the park because different types of animals are being raised at home along with the park nowadays. As a result, cities are becoming the centre of the evolution of various diseases.
To do:
But if it is possible to improve the purification system, waste management, and insect control properly, it may be possible to prevent or control the spread of the disease through organisms. On the other hand, efforts to avoid environmental change must continue, and new pathogens must be identified. You need to know what animals are carrying.
