Journal of Infectious Diseases and Treatment Open Access

Navigating the Interconnected Risks of Emerging Respiratory Viruses: Zoonosis and Zooanthroponosis in One Health Perspectives

Liam Jenner^* Department of Pathology, University of Toronto, Canada
^*Correspondence: Liam Jenner, Department of Pathology, University of Toronto, Canada, Email:

Received: 01-Jan-2024, Manuscript No. IPJIDT-24-18995; Editor assigned: 03-Jan-2024, Pre QC No. IPJIDT-24-18995 (PQ); Reviewed: 17-Jan-2024, QC No. IPJIDT-24-18995; Revised: 22-Jan-2024, Manuscript No. IPJIDT-24-18995 (R); Published: 29-Jan-2024, DOI: 10.36648/2472-1093-10.1.5

Introduction

Zoonosis refers to diseases that can be transmitted from animals to humans, such as rabies and Lyme disease. Zooanthroponosis, on the other hand, is the transmission of diseases from humans to animals, like tuberculosis in elephants or influenza in birds. Both phenomena highlight the interconnectedness of human and animal health, necessitating careful management and surveillance to prevent outbreaks and protect public health. Zoonosis and Zooanthroponosis of emerging respiratory viruses represent significant challenges to global public health, highlighting the intricate interplay between human, animal, and environmental factors in the emergence and transmission of infectious diseases. Zoonosis refers to the transmission of pathogens from animals to humans, while Zooanthroponosis denotes the reverse transmission from humans to animals. The emergence of respiratory viruses with zoonotic origins underscores the complex dynamics of interspecies transmission and adaptation. Coronaviruses, such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (SARSCoV), Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERSCoV), and most notably, SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of COVID-19, exemplify the zoonotic spillover events that can lead to devastating outbreaks in human populations.

Description

These viruses are believed to have originated in bats, with intermediate hosts such as civet cats and dromedary camels facilitating their transmission to humans, highlighting the importance of wildlife surveillance and ecosystem health in mitigating zoonotic risks. Conversely, the phenomenon of Zooanthroponosis, where respiratory viruses are transmitted from humans to animals, presents unique challenges in disease control and management. Influenza viruses, including strains such as H1N1 and H3N2, have been documented to infect a wide range of animal species, including birds, pigs, and domestic pets. Such cross-species transmission events not only pose risks to animal health but also have implications for human-animal interfaces in settings such as live animal markets, agricultural fairs, and petting zoos, where interspecies transmission can occur. The dual threat of zoonosis and Zooanthroponosis underscores the One Health approach, emphasizing the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health in addressing emerging infectious diseases. Surveillance systems that integrate data from human and animal health sectors are essential for early detection and rapid response to zoonotic outbreaks, enabling timely implementation of control measures such as quarantine, vaccination, and culling where appropriate. Moreover, collaborative research efforts aimed at understanding the ecological, behavioral, and genetic determinants of viral transmission at the human-animal interface are crucial for informing evidence-based interventions and mitigating future zoonotic risks. The emergence of novel respiratory viruses underscores the need for proactive measures to mitigate zoonotic and zooanthroponotic risks and enhance pandemic preparedness. This includes strengthening regulatory frameworks for wildlife trade and consumption, promoting sustainable land-use practices to minimize humanwildlife contact, and investing in research and development of vaccines and therapeutics targeting zoonotic pathogens.

Conclusion

The interconnected nature of zoonosis and Zooanthroponosis in the transmission of emerging respiratory viruses underscores the need for a holistic and interdisciplinary approach to infectious disease control and prevention. By addressing the underlying drivers of interspecies transmission and promoting collaboration across human, animal, and environmental health sectors, we can mitigate the risks posed by zoonotic pathogens and safeguard the health and well-being of both human and animal populations.