Interventions to Reduce Risk for Pathogen Spillover and Early Disease Spread to Prevent Outbreaks, Epidemics, and Pandemics

Abstract

The pathogens that cause most emerging infectious diseases in humans originate in animals, particularly wildlife, and then spill over into humans. The accelerating frequency with which humans and domestic animals encounter wildlife because of activities such as land-use change, animal husbandry, and markets and trade in live wildlife has created growing opportunities for pathogen spillover. The risk of pathogen spillover and early disease spread among domestic animals and humans, however, can be reduced by stopping the clearing and degradation of tropical and subtropical forests, improving health and economic security of communities living in emerging infectious disease hotspots, enhancing biosecurity in animal husbandry, shutting down or strictly regulating wildlife markets and trade, and expanding pathogen surveillance. We summarize expert opinions on how to implement these goals to prevent outbreaks, epidemics, and pandemics.

Spatial risk of disease transmission between wild bovids and livestock in Thailand

“…Pathogen spillover events are complicated, with a convergence of risk factors, which are difficult to approach. Integrating a complex system of human, animal and environmental will benefit prevention efforts or at least mitigate the impact of the next spill-over event (64). Mitigation strategies will likely vary according to local socioeconomic conditions, but among the preventive actions are using vaccination of livestock or even wild species, targeted reduction of infected individual animals, herds or farms (ideally with compensation), along with reducing livestock herd sizes and densities, transport of livestock among farms, and contacts between farmed animals and wild species (65,66).…”

A review of emerging health threats from zoonotic New World mammarenaviruses

“…It is evident that while New World mammarenaviruses possess distinct characteristics, their effective mitigation aligns with broader principles applicable to zoonotic pathogens. Crucial to this effort is the adoption of collaborative, multi-sectoral strategies that encompass research, response, and preparedness activities, as these approaches have shown substantial promise in addressing similar health threats [ 88 , 89 ]. The cornerstone of such strategies lies in nurturing within-country research capabilities and providing consistent, targeted support to local scientists across relevant disciplines.…”

Co-Circulating Monkeypox and Swinepox Viruses, Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2022

“…Yet, areas with livestock have not been regularly surveilled for health, hygiene, or suspected viruses, including MPXV. Close proximity of humans and animals provides an environment conducive to virus spillover ( 9 ). We report on the co-circulation of MPXV and swinepox virus in the same locality within DRC.…”