China, the birthplace of the COVID-19 pandemic, might be on track to create yet another global health crisis.
The Asian giant is disrupting habitats in neighboring Laos that are home to bats hosting similar pathogens to the novel coronavirus. These include coronaviruses closely related to the one that caused the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic that has killed at least 7 million people worldwide.
##The railway of risk :
The main culprit behind this environmental destruction is the China-Laos Railway, a project of Beijing’s historic “Belt and Road” infrastructure initiative to tie the world to China. The railway extends 422 km from the Chinese border to the Lao capital of Vientiane, cutting through rich rainforest, leafy mountains, and previously untouched karst – intricate landscapes of soluble-rock peaks and caverns that are a preferred habitat of the region’s bats.
The railway is meant to spur development, boost tourism, and forge even greater links with China. Since the train began operating in December 2021, it has carried more than 14 million passengers and over 18 million metric tons of goods, according to the Chinese government. But some scientists say the rail line is worrisome because development along its once-remote trajectory is accelerating tree loss and bringing humans into closer contact with bats. The train also enables the fast movement of people and goods from rural to populous areas, where viruses can easily multiply and spread. That includes people or goods that may have had contact with live animals in a wildlife trade that has been linked to past outbreaks.
“This is the lesson,” said Chris Newman, a biologist at Oxford University who studied COVID-19’s origins. "It was infected people who took the virus to every corner of the world – so quickly that there was absolutely nothing we could do to contain it."
##The jump zones :
The railway is not the only threat to the region’s biodiversity and public health. More than 9 million square kilometers on earth have suitable conditions for a bat-borne virus to spill over. These areas are termed “jump zones”. They are places where bats and humans overlap, creating opportunities for viruses to jump from one species to another.
A recent study by researchers from Stanford University and EcoHealth Alliance mapped these jump zones across the globe and found that Southeast Asia, especially China and its neighboring countries, has the highest risk of bat-borne virus spillover. The study also identified several factors that increase this risk, such as deforestation, urbanization, livestock production, and wildlife trade.
The researchers warned that these jump zones are expanding as human activities encroach on natural habitats and disrupt ecological balance. They urged governments and international organizations to invest in surveillance and prevention measures to reduce the likelihood of another pandemic.
## The call for action:
The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the vulnerability of human societies to emerging infectious diseases and the need for a more proactive approach to prevent them. Many experts agree that preserving natural ecosystems and reducing human-wildlife interactions are key steps to avoid future outbreaks.
In a 2019 paper, the World Bank analyzed possible environmental impacts of China’s Belt and Road Initiative. The paper recommended that China and its partner countries adopt green standards and practices for their infrastructure projects, such as conducting environmental impact assessments, avoiding sensitive areas, minimizing habitat fragmentation, restoring degraded lands, and promoting renewable energy sources.
The paper also suggested that China and its partner countries cooperate with regional and global initiatives to combat illegal wildlife trade, which is a major driver of biodiversity loss and disease emergence. The paper cited examples of successful collaboration, such as the ASEAN Wildlife Enforcement Network and the Global Wildlife Program.
The COVID-19 pandemic has shown that human health and environmental health are interdependent. As China expands its influence and presence in Southeast Asia and beyond, it has a responsibility and an opportunity to ensure that its development does not come at the expense of nature or public health.
##How can we prevent the second pandemic:
There is no definitive answer to how we can prevent another pandemic, but many experts have suggested some possible measures based on the lessons learned from COVID-19. Here are some of them:
Invest in research and preparation: The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified a list of diseases that pose a high risk of causing a pandemic, but have no or insufficient countermeasures. These include Ebola, Zika, Nipah, and Disease X (a term for an unknown pathogen that could emerge). Investing in research and development of diagnostics, treatments, and vaccines for these diseases could help prevent or contain future outbreaks. Additionally, strengthening surveillance and early warning systems, improving laboratory and health care capacities, and enhancing coordination and collaboration among countries and organizations could help prepare for and respond to emerging threats.
●Fund and continue to implement vaccine programs: While there may not be a vaccine for COVID-19 yet, there are vaccines for many other infectious diseases that can cause outbreaks or epidemics. Ensuring that people have access to these vaccines can prevent unnecessary deaths and suffering, as well as reduce the burden on health systems. Moreover, continuing to support vaccine research and innovation, especially for diseases that have no or limited vaccines, can help create new tools to fight against potential pandemics. For example, CEPI (the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations) is an alliance of public, private, and philanthropic partners that aims to accelerate the development of vaccines against emerging infectious diseases.
● Preserve natural ecosystems and reduce human-wildlife interactions: Many pandemics are caused by zoonotic diseases, which are diseases that jump from animals to humans. These spillover events are often facilitated by human activities that encroach on natural habitats, such as deforestation, urbanization, intensive farming, and wildlife trade. These activities not only destroy biodiversity and disrupt ecological balance, but also increase the contact between humans and animals that may carry pathogens. Therefore, protecting natural ecosystems and reducing human-wildlife interactions can help prevent the emergence and spread of zoonotic diseases.
●Improve global coordination and leadership: Pandemics cross borders and require countries to work together. However, throughout the current pandemic, leaders have struggled to coordinate a global response to COVID-19. This has created a vacuum of global leadership and strategy, as well as gaps in funding, information sharing, and equitable access to resources. To prevent another pandemic, there is a need for new structures and mechanisms that can bring together political leaders to end this pandemic and prepare for the next one. For example, some reports have proposed the creation of a Global Health Threats Council or Board that can work with existing groups like the WHO, the Global Fund, Gavi, CEPI, and others to ensure a coherent and effective response to global health threats.
##Conclusion:
The COVID-19 pandemic has shown that human health and environmental health are interdependent. As the world faces the threat of another pandemic, it is imperative that we learn from this crisis and take action to prevent it. This means investing in research and preparation, funding and implementing vaccine programs, preserving natural ecosystems and reducing human-wildlife interactions, and improving global coordination and leadership. By doing so, we can not only protect ourselves and our planet, but also create a more resilient and sustainable future for all.
0 Comments