Deforestation to unleash new pandemics

Scientists will warn the UN that continued rates of deforestation will lead to large numbers of pandemics being transmitted from animals to humans.

The UN Biodiversity summit which is set to take place next month will be briefed about the increasing evidence of the link between environmental degradation and disease.

The removal of natural habitats for the purpose of mining and agriculture will lead to the spill over of diseases that humans haven't come into contact with before, so have no immunity. Alongside the changing land use which can accidentally release previously unknown microbes and bacteria into the human population, the use of wild animals as exotic pets and as a food supply puts humans increasingly at risk. This has been seen with Covid-19, Ebola, HIV and swine flu.

For more on this article, check out the following news report:

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/aug/30/rampant-destruction-of-forests-will-unleash-more-pandemics