The next deadly pandemic is just a forest clearing away. But we’re not even trying to prevent it.

3/11/2023

This ProPublica article investigates the origins of the Ebola outbreak in Guinea in 2014 and highlights how deforestation and human activities contributed to the spillover of pandemics from wildlife to humans. It describes how the increase in logging and land-use changes in West Africa has brought humans into closer contact with animals, potentially increasing the risk of zoonotic diseases. The article emphasizes the importance of addressing deforestation and protecting biodiversity as crucial measures for preventing future outbreaks. It sheds light on the link between environmental degradation and the emergence of infectious diseases, urging policymakers to prioritize conservation efforts to mitigate the risks of future pandemics.

habitat loss ꞏ ecological impact ꞏ wildlife ecosystems ꞏ transmissible diseases ꞏ environmental degradation ꞏ epidemiology ꞏ forest clearing ꞏ deforestation ꞏ disease outbreak ꞏ wildlife trade ꞏ wildlife conservation ꞏ public health policy ꞏ disease transmission ꞏ zoonotic spillover ꞏ virus research ꞏ wildlife trafficking ꞏ zoonotic pathogens ꞏ spillover ꞏ disease surveillance ꞏ animal-human interface ꞏ wildlife diseases ꞏ disease prevention ꞏ emerging diseases ꞏ viral pandemics ꞏ ecosystem health ꞏ zoonotic transmission ꞏ wildlife protection ꞏ infectious disease control ꞏ viral infections ꞏ zoonotic diseases ꞏ ebola ꞏ animal health ꞏ pandemic ꞏ wildlife management ꞏ guinea ꞏ viral outbreaks ꞏ zoonotic threats ꞏ infectious diseases ꞏ ecosystem destruction ꞏ zoonoses ꞏ zoonotic surveillance ꞏ pandemic preparedness ꞏ public health ꞏ global health