Emerging and re-emerging human infectious diseases: A systematic review of the role of wild animals with a focus on public health impact

Marli Cupertino; Lorendane Carvalho; Rodrigo Siqueira-batista; Marli Cupertino; Michely Resende; Rodrigo Siqueira-batista; Marli Cupertino; Nicholas Mayer; Lorendane Carvalho

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Emerging and re-emerging human infectious diseases: A systematic review of the role of wild animals with a focus on public health impact

Author: Marli CUPERTINO ¹ ; Lorendane CARVALHO ¹ ; Rodrigo SIQUEIRA-BATISTA ¹ ; Marli CUPERTINO ² ; Michely RESENDE ² ; Rodrigo SIQUEIRA-BATISTA ² ; Marli CUPERTINO ³ ; Nicholas MAYER ³ ; Lorendane CARVALHO ³
Author Information

1. Medical School, Faculdade Dinâmica Do Vale Do Piranga
2. Laboratory of Epidemiological and Computational Methods in Health, Department of Medicine and Nursing, Universidade Federal de Viçosa
3. Department of Veterinary Medicine, Universidade Federal de Viçosa
Publication Type:Journal Article
Keywords: 2019-nCoV; Epidemics; Epidemiology; Virology; Zoonosis
From: Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Medicine 2020;13(3):99-106
CountryChina
Language:Chinese
Abstract: Infectious diseases continue to impose unpredictable burdens on global health and economies, a subject that requires constant research and updates. In this sense, the objective of the present article was to review studies on the role of wild animals as reservoirs and/or dispersers of etiological agents of human infectious diseases in order to compile data on the main wild animals and etiological agents involved in zoonotic outbreaks. A systematic review was carried out using PRISMA guidelines, using the PubMed, Scopus and SciELO platforms as data banks. The descriptors used were 'zoonosis', 'human infectious diseases' and 'wild animals'. The results show that wild animals (mainly bats, birds and primates) play an important role in the dissemination of etiological agents (mainly viruses, as a new coronavirus called 2019 Novel Coronavirus) in extensive geographic regions. Moreover, these wild animal organisms can act as the site for essential biotic synergy among several pathogenic microorganisms, promoting a higher rate of adaptation, mutation and even genetic recombination, with consequent stimulation of new strains and subtypes, inducing new infectious agents with unknown virulent potential. In conclusion, the monitoring of these diseases and adequate preparation for possible epidemics and pandemics are fundamental conditions for the mitigation of their future impact. The zoonotic threat of these etiological agents and the impact on public health can be enormous as shown by the ongoing epidemic of 2019 novel coronavirus (2019- nCoV) infections.