1. World Wildlife Magazine
  2. Fall 2020

Zoonotic diseases: From animals to people

Zoonotic emerging infectious diseases are transmitted from a host animal, or reservoir species, to humans, sometimes by way of an intermediate host known as a vector. Diseases that can be spread from person to person (e.g., through respiratory droplets, like COVID-19) have the potential to become pandemics.

Host/ Reservoir Vector/ Intermediate HostHuman InfectionPrimary Drivers
Vector-borne zoonotic pathogens
Ex: West Nile virus, Lyme disease

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Vector-borne pathogens with zoonotic origin; now restricted to people
Ex: malaria, dengue fever

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Direct transmission pathogens from animal host; no secondary transmission
Ex: hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, rabies
→
Pathogens with reservoirs of both wild and domestic species
Ex: avian influenza

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→
Respiratory droplets
Paramyxoviruses
Ex: Hendra, Nipah

→→
Filoviruses
Ex. Ebola, Marburg

Bodily fluids

→⇄
Coronaviruses
Ex. SARS, MERS, COVID-19

→

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Respiratory droplets

 

Primary Drivers

Land-use change

Climate change

Agricultural intensification

Permanent live animal markets, wildlife farming, and wildlife trade

Wild animal hunting, butchering, and consumption

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World Wildlife magazine provides an inspiring, in-depth look at the connections between animals, people and our planet. Published quarterly by WWF, the magazine helps make you a part of our efforts to solve some of the most pressing issues facing the natural world.

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