Wildlife, Exotic Pets, and Emerging Zoonoses1

TLDR

Most emerging infectious diseases are zoonotic, with wildlife serving as a large, often unknown reservoir, and human behavior, habitat encroachment, agricultural changes, globalization, wildlife trade, bushmeat markets, exotic pet ownership, ecotourism, and petting zoos all contribute to their emergence. The study aims to reduce risk for emerging zoonoses by educating the public about wildlife, bushmeat, and exotic pet trade risks. The authors propose implementing proper surveillance systems to achieve this risk reduction.

Abstract

Most emerging infectious diseases are zoonotic; wildlife constitutes a large and often unknown reservoir. Wildlife can also be a source for reemergence of previously controlled zoonoses. Although the discovery of such zoonoses is often related to better diagnostic tools, the leading causes of their emergence are human behavior and modifications to natural habitats (expansion of human populations and their encroachment on wildlife habitat), changes in agricultural practices, and globalization of trade. However, other factors include wildlife trade and translocation, live animal and bushmeat markets, consumption of exotic foods, development of ecotourism, access to petting zoos, and ownership of exotic pets. To reduce risk for emerging zoonoses, the public should be educated about the risks associated with wildlife, bushmeat, and exotic pet trades; and proper surveillance systems should be implemented.