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| The main cause of epidemic is the destruction of nature |
A task force of international researchers is working to identify the source of the epidemic. The cost of prevention at the outset is much lower than that of epidemic management.
Researchers say that as a result of deforestation and wildlife poaching, animals and the germs they carry are constantly in contact with humans and livestock.
Researchers say that as a result of deforestation and wildlife poaching, animals and the germs they carry are constantly in contact with humans and livestock. Reuters file photo.
Scientists have warned that the main cause of the epidemic is the destruction of nature. They say world leaders continue to neglect cost-effective and effective strategies to prevent future epidemics.
Nowhere in the steps of world leaders is the issue of nature protection being properly addressed.
According to a special report in The Guardian, researchers say that deforestation and wildlife poaching have resulted in animals and the germs they carry in constant contact with humans and livestock.
About 80 percent of new infectious diseases originate from different animals. These include Covid-19, SARS, bird flu, Ebola, HIV, etc.
World leaders continue to neglect cost-effective and effective strategies to prevent future epidemics.
A new independent task force of international researchers, formed by the Preventing Pandemics at the Source (PPS) at Harvard University in the United States, is working to identify the source of the epidemic.
Scientists at the agency say the root causes of the epidemic are rarely mentioned by world leaders and authorities. According to the PPS, the World Health Assembly and the World Health Organization's Corona Epidemic report also ignored the issue.
A recent study predicts that if more epidemics occur in the next decade, the annual cost of preventing them could be reduced to 26 billion.
The current Corona epidemic has caused only 2 percent of the financial loss. Steps such as protection of forests, closure of risky wildlife trade, improved protection of farm animals from infection, rapid detection of disease in wildlife market areas should be taken to prevent damage.
The new task force includes scientists from almost all parts of the world. The task force was created by Harvard University in the United States. By the end of the summer, the task force will formulate an effective plan to prevent the epidemic.
"The Covid-19 was a warning to us from all over nature," said Aaron Bernstein, a researcher at the Harvard Center for Climate, Health and the Global Environment, led by the task force.
But so far world leaders have refrained from taking action. Although we have heard from them about taking steps to prevent epidemics, we have not heard from them about the root causes.
Aaron Bernstein added, ‘Most of what world leaders are saying today is about health sector preparation, maintenance and vaccination.
But these are ways to prevent the spread of the disease. But we have learned that the path to salvation can be more affordable.
The cost of prevention at the onset of an epidemic is much less than the cost of managing it after the onset of the epidemic. Most of these measures are again useful in tackling the climate and biodiversity crisis.
