Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an emerging infectious disease that has resulted in a global pandemic and is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). Zoonotic diseases are infections that are transmitted from animals to humans. COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2 most likely originated in bats and transmitted to humans through a possible intermediate host. Based on published research so far, pangolins are considered the most likely intermediate hosts. Further studies are needed on different wild animal species, including pangolins that are sold at the same wet market or similar wet markets before concluding pangolins as definitive intermediate hosts. SARS-CoV-2 is capable of reverse zoonosis as well. Additional research is needed to understand the pathogenicity of the virus, especially in companion animals, modes of transmission, incubation period, contagious period, and zoonotic potential. Interdisciplinary one health approach handles these mosaic issues of emerging threats by integrating professionals from multiple disciplines like human medicine, veterinary medicine, environmental health, and social sciences. Given that the future outbreak of zoonotic diseases is inevitable, importance must be given for swift identification of the pathogen, source, and transmission methods. Countries should invest in identifying the hot spots for the origin of zoonotic diseases, enhance diagnostic capabilities, and rapid containment measures at local, regional, and national levels. The threat posed by emerging infectious diseases in modern-days also needs combined efforts internationally where a single discipline or nation cannot handle the burden alone.
Highlights
BackgroundCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARSCoV-2) is spreading at an unrelenting pace worldwide, and World Health Organization (WHO) declared it as global pandemic [1]
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an emerging infectious disease that has resulted in a global pandemic and is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2)
COVID-19 reminds us of the failure of systems and safeguards that should have been in place to prevent a global pandemic of this magnitude
Summary
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARSCoV-2) is spreading at an unrelenting pace worldwide, and World Health Organization (WHO) declared it as global pandemic [1]. Based on the phylogenic analysis and evolutionary studies, most zoonotic novel coronaviruses have shown to be originated from bats and have been reported to be transmitted to humans by aerosols thorough intermediate hosts infected by the virus [28]. SARS-CoV-2 is known to cause permissive infections in ferrets and cats, implying the possibility of other animals as potential reservoirs or intermediate hosts [36, 37]. Addressing live animal markets, in general, can play a vital role in preventing zoonotic transmissions [47] This might include closing the markets if possible or at least limiting them to mixing very few species, separating live animals from processed meat, removing intermediate hosts if established, and rigorously testing for zoonotic pathogens. The adoption of principles from one health approach helps in effectively coordinating these complex multidisciplinary tasks
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