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The Human-Animal Link
Summary --
Recent outbreaks of avian flu, SARS, the Ebola virus, and mad cow disease wreaked havoc on global trade and transport. They also all originated in animals. Humanity today is acutely vulnerable to diseases that start off in other species, yet our health care remains dangerously blinkered. It is time for a new, global approach.
Related
Essay, Jul/Aug 2005
If an influenza pandemic struck today, borders would close, the global economy would shut down, international vaccine supplies and health-care systems would be overwhelmed, and panic would reign. To limit the fallout, the industrialized world must create a detailed response strategy involving the public and private sectors.
Essay, Jul/Aug 2005
Since it first emerged in 1997, avian influenza has become deadlier and more resilient. It has infected 109 people and killed 59 of them. If the virus becomes capable of human-to-human transmission and retains its extraordinary potency, humanity could face a pandemic unlike any ever witnessed.
Postscript, May 8, 2009
How studying animal and human disease together could help prevent and treat the next pandemic.
Comments
Interaction between human beings and other species.
Perhaps, human beings interact, way too much with the species of other living beings, on Earth, like, animals, and birds. What is the simplest way to arrest various strains of infectious influenza viruses, which propagate between humans and other species? To limit our contact with other species, and to have regard for the wellbeing of ourselves, and for the other animals and birds, not to leave out plants and trees. How do we limit contact with these living beings? By not exploiting their existence, for our greed, and by not exploiting our greed.