COVID-19 and Zoonotic Diseases: Understanding Origins, Challenges, and Future Implications
The Emergence and Impact of COVID-19 as a Zoonotic Disease
As of the 21st century, viruses and influenza outbreaks are at an all-time high and growing alarmingly. Not only are these outbreaks happening out of nowhere, but they are also mutating and creating new sub-types that could potentially develop into something deadly as these viruses continue to mutate.
COVID-19, also known scientifically as Coronavirus, is any type of and/or group of viruses that cause and bring illness and disease to animals and humans. COVID-19 is not just any type of virus; it consists of multiple types of viruses in one, making it much deadlier than the Flu or common cold. The virus started in Wuhan, China, in December of 2019. Shortly after, the disease spread from China to Seattle to California, then to New York, and soon after, it swept the nation. COVID started from animals and passed to humans, which makes COVID-19 a zoonotic disease. In China, the people of this nation eat raw and wild animals for various cultural and spiritual reasons, and they just want food to eat. But obviously, that has caused many diseases and outbreaks, including the swine flu, also known as H1N1, which was caused by animals and caused flu-like symptoms.
However, COVID-19 was different due to the nature of the virus and the complications with the virus. In COVID-19 infection: Origin, Transmission, and Characteristics of Human Coronaviruses, the article’s abstract states, “the intermediate source of origin and transfer to humans is not known; however, the rapid human-to-human transfer has been confirmed widely. No clinically approved antiviral drug or vaccine is available to be used against COVID-19. However, few broad-spectrum antiviral drugs have been evaluated against COVID-19 in clinical trials, resulting in clinical recovery.” With the origin being unknown, COVID-19 does not have a vaccine, and knowing it comes from animals brings more of an unknown to the disease. The disease is also like the Flu and or the common cold with similar symptoms such as but not limited to fever, dry cough, fatigue, sore throat, diarrhea, headaches, aches and pain, and respiratory problems. In addition to this, you can have COVID-19 and will not have any symptoms for up to 14 days, which means you could have contracted the virus and won’t even know you have it until symptoms show or you go to the doctor.
Understanding Zoonotic Diseases: Origins, Treatment, and Future Implications
Treating the virus and understanding how to treat it comes down to knowing where it comes from. In COVID-19 Infection: Origin, Transmission, and Characteristics of Human Coronaviruses, on page 92, it states, “the source of origination and transmission are important to be determined to develop preventive strategies to contain the infection.” Without knowing the origin, finding a solution is nearly impossible. Still, by finding the origin, you can find out more about the virus from its original host and how to prevent the virus from happening. In addition to that, zoonotic diseases are deadly to humans because the virus is in a new body, a different type of body, cells, and immune system. As the virus replicates, it creates a new strain of disease(s), and as it is passed from human to human mainly through physical contact and air, the diseases are constantly changing.
Already being deadly, it becomes even more lethal, especially for those who are vulnerable. But as of today, time and overpopulation, we must understand that zoonotic diseases will be more frequent. The article Effects of COVID-19 on Business Research in the introduction states, “The events leading to influenza pandemics are recurring biological phenomena and cannot realistically be prevented. Pandemics seem to occur at 10?—?50-year intervals due to the emergence of new virus subtypes from virus re-assortment (Potter, 2001). As the global population increases and we need to live closer to animals, the transfer of new viruses to the human population will likely occur even more frequently. With more and more animals that are not commonly pets, we become prone to disease due to the close contact with these animal’s house pets, which can cause zoonotic disease.
Furthermore, since we are closer to animals, no matter the type, it is impossible to avoid illnesses caused by animals. In the article Effects of COVID-19 on Business Research, page one states, “All our society can do is take preventive measures so that we can act quickly once we suspect an outbreak. We should also try to learn from the consequences of pandemic outbreaks to prepare our societies for if?—?and, more likely, when?—?this happens again.” This is true since it is going to continually happen; we should take every precaution for these outbreaks as they occur.
The Scientific Mechanisms of COVID-19: Transmission, Replication, and Genetic Insights
The scientific breakdown of COVID and its human entry is very intricate as far as diseases go because it is new to humans, as most zoonotic diseases are. On page 93 of COVID-19 Infection: Origin, Transmission, and Characteristics of Human Coronaviruses, it states, “all coronaviruses contain specific genes in ORF1 downstream regions that encode proteins for viral replication, nucleocapsid and spikes formation [25]. The glycoprotein spikes on the outer surface of coronaviruses are responsible for the attachment and entry of the virus to host cells (Fig. 1). The receptor-binding domain (RBD) is loosely attached among viruses; therefore, the virus may infect multiple hosts [26,27]. Other coronaviruses mainly recognize aminopeptidases or carbohydrates as key receptors for entry to human cells, while SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV recognize exopeptidases [2]. The entry mechanism of a coronavirus depends upon cellular proteases, which include human airway trypsin-like protease (HAT), cathepsins, and transmembrane protease serine 2(TMPRSS2) that split the spike protein and establish further penetration changes[28,29]. MERS-coronavirus employs dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP4), while HCoV-NL63 and SARS-coronavirus require angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) as a key receptor.
In simpler terms, this is how the virus is transmitted and replicated through the human body and the key elements, cells, and enzymes associated with the virus. Also, every animal-like virus contains very detailed and specific genes that make up the virus and cause different replications and mutations. Genomic variations in Sars-CoV-2 are more than 80% identical in human Coronavirus. Sar’s was a respiratory virus that hit China in 2003, the same as COVID-19. On page 92 of COVID-19 Infection: Origin, Transmission, and Characteristics of Human Coronaviruses, it expresses, “In 2003, the Chinese population was infected with a virus causing Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in Guangdong province. The virus was confirmed as a member of the Beta-coronavirus subgroup and was named SARS-CoV [6,7]. The infected patients exhibited pneumonia symptoms with a diffused alveolar injury, which led to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). This was caused by eating seafood and wild animals such as birds, frogs, snakes, rabbits, and birds.
The same article expresses even further on page 92, “Moreover, the genetic sequence was also provided for the diagnosis of viral infection. Initially, it was suggested that the patients infected with Wuhan coronavirus-induced pneumonia in China may have visited the seafood market where live animals were sold or where infected animals or birds as a food source. However, further investigations revealed that some individuals contracted the infection despite no record of visiting the seafood market. These observations indicated the human-to-human spreading capability of this virus, which was subsequently reported in more than 100 countries around the world.
The human-to-human spreading of the virus occurs due to close contact with an infected person and exposure to coughing, sneezing, respiratory droplets, or aerosols. These aerosols can penetrate the human body (lungs) via inhalation through the nose or mouth. Moreover, on page 94 of the same article, it states, “As the entire genome of the 2019-novel Coronavirus is more than 80%similar to the previous human SARS-like bat CoV, previously used animal models for SARS-CoV can be utilized to study the infectious pathogenicity of SARS-CoV-2. The human ACE2 cell receptor is recognized by both SARS and Novel coronaviruses. Conclusively, TALEN or CRISPR-mediated genetically modified hamsters or other mall animals can be utilized to study the pathogenicity of novel coronaviruses.
Conclusion: Navigating the Challenges of COVID-19 and Zoonotic Diseases
Despite our significant advancements in understanding and managing COVID-19, numerous challenges remain that complicate research and public health efforts. One of the primary obstacles is the inherent complexity of coronaviruses; many strains share genetic similarities, which can obscure our understanding of their unique characteristics and behaviors. The difficulty in pinpointing the origins of these viruses further complicates our ability to develop effective preventive strategies. Zoonotic diseases, like COVID-19, often emerge from intricate interactions between humans and wildlife, and tracing these pathways requires extensive interdisciplinary research. The mutation of coronaviruses poses an additional layer of complexity. These viruses are known for their ability to adapt rapidly, leading to the emergence of new variants that may exhibit altered transmissibility or virulence. This continuous evolution makes it challenging for scientists to predict future outbreaks or to develop vaccines that remain effective over time. The phenomenon of mutation is not just a scientific concern; it also has profound implications for public health policy and individual behaviors, particularly as people grapple with the uncertainty surrounding vaccination efficacy against new variants. From a human perspective, the ongoing challenges associated with COVID-19 serve as a poignant reminder of our interconnectedness with nature and the delicate balance between human health and environmental factors. As we continue encroaching upon natural habitats, the likelihood of emerging zoonotic diseases will only increase. This underscores the importance of fostering a holistic approach to health that integrates wildlife conservation, public health, and community education. Ultimately, while we have made strides in combating COVID-19, it is clear that we must remain vigilant and proactive. Continued investment in research, public health infrastructure, and global cooperation will be essential in navigating the complexities of zoonotic diseases. By understanding the challenges we face, we can better prepare for future outbreaks, ensuring that we not only respond to crises but also work towards preventing them in the first place.
Works Cited
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Naveen Donthu, Anders Gustafsson, Effects of COVID-19 on business and research, Journal of Business Research, Volume 117,2020, Pages 284–289, ISSN 0148–2963,
Muhammad Adnan Shereen, Suliman Khan, Abeer Kazmi, Nadia Bashir, Rabea Siddique, COVID-19 infection: Origin, transmission, and characteristics of human coronaviruses, Journal of Advanced Research, Volume 24,2020, Pages 91–98, ISSN 2090–1232,