A recently discovered bat virus, capable of infecting humans, has sparked concerns about potential zoonotic transmission in Thailand. The controversial research group behind this finding, EcoHealth Alliance, previously linked to experiments in Wuhan, reported the discovery during a World Health Organisation (WHO) meeting, reported IANS.

Dr Peter Daszak, the head of EcoHealth Alliance, disclosed the existence of this previously unknown virus found in a Thai cave frequented by local farmers for bat faeces fertilisation.

<h2>What's the context of this discovery?</h2>

During the WHO event, Dr Daszak&nbsp;said: "We found a lot of SARS-related coronaviruses, but one in particular we found was quite common in bats where people were commonly exposed."

He added: "We consider this to be a potential zoonotic pathogen. Here we have a virus in bats, right now in a cave used by people highly exposed to bat faeces. And this virus is shed in bat faeces, so there is a real potential for emergence."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/bird-flu-detected-in-seals-in-southern-atlantic-for-the-first-time-678985">Also read |&nbsp;Bird flu detected in seals in southern Atlantic for the first time</a>

Dr Daszak, a British-born scientist, has consistently dismissed the lab leak theory, asserting that the coronavirus has natural origins.

Despite the controversy surrounding the origins of the virus, the discovery of a new bat virus underscores the ongoing importance of understanding and monitoring potential sources of zoonotic diseases.

The discovery comes amid a global surge in coronavirus cases, with hospitalisations surging by 42 per cent&nbsp;across 50 countries.

The rise is attributed to the JN.1 Covid variant, first identified in France in September. This variant accounts for approximately 60 per cent&nbsp;of new infections in early January, according to&nbsp;the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Also watch |&nbsp;Gravitas | Another deadly bat virus is here: Nipah virus outbreak in Kerala, should you be scared?

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The World Health Organisation has classified the JN.1 variant as a "variant of interest," acknowledging its rapid spread but deeming it a "low" global public health risk. Initially part of the BA.2.86 sub-lineages, the parent lineage classified as a variant of interest, JN.1 has raised concerns despite its low-risk classification.

(With inputs from agencies)

A recently discovered bat virus, capable of infecting humans, has sparked concerns about potential zoonotic transmission in Thailand. The controversial research group behind this finding, EcoHealth Alliance, previously linked to experiments in Wuhan, reported the discovery during a World Health Organisation (WHO) meeting, reported IANS.

A recently discovered bat virus, capable of infecting humans, has sparked concerns about potential zoonotic transmission in Thailand. The controversial research group behind this finding, EcoHealth Alliance, previously linked to experiments in Wuhan, reported the discovery during a World Health Organisation (WHO) meeting, reported IANS. Dr Peter Daszak, the head of EcoHealth Alliance, disclosed the existence of this previously unknown virus found in a Thai cave frequented by local farmers for bat faeces fertilisation. What's the context of this discovery? During the WHO event, Dr Daszak said: "We found a lot of SARS-related coronaviruses, but one in particular we found was quite common in bats where people were commonly exposed." He added: "We consider this to be a potential zoonotic pathogen. Here we have a virus in bats, right now in a cave used by people highly exposed to bat faeces. And this virus is shed in bat faeces, so there is a real potential for emergence." Also read | Bird flu detected in seals in southern Atlantic for the first time Dr Daszak, a British-born scientist, has consistently dismissed the lab leak theory, asserting that the coronavirus has natural origins. Despite the controversy surrounding the origins of the virus, the discovery of a new bat virus underscores the ongoing importance of understanding and monitoring potential sources of zoonotic diseases. The discovery comes amid a global surge in coronavirus cases, with hospitalisations surging by 42 per cent across 50 countries. The rise is attributed to the JN.1 Covid variant, first identified in France in September. This variant accounts for approximately 60 per cent of new infections in early January, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Also watch | Gravitas | Another deadly bat virus is here: Nipah virus outbreak in Kerala, should you be scared? The World Health Organisation has classified the JN.1 variant as a "variant of interest," acknowledging its rapid spread but deeming it a "low" global public health risk. Initially part of the BA.2.86 sub-lineages, the parent lineage classified as a variant of interest, JN.1 has raised concerns despite its low-risk classification. (With inputs from agencies)

Thailand: Traces of new deadly bat virus which can infect humans found inside cave, says report

A new study has warned that the diseases which get transmitted from animals to humans can increase the count of people who lost their lives in 2020 by 12 times if there is a breakout in the year 2050. 
 
In the study, US biotech company Ginkgo Bioworks stated that the epidemics which are caused by a few zoonotic infectious diseases, which are also known as spillovers, can occur more frequently in future because of deforestation and climate change. 
 
The researchers discovered that there has been an increase in the number of epidemics by around 5 per cent every year between the years 1963 and 2019, with the casualties increasing by 9 per cent.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/how-dangerously-us-played-with-coronaviruses-lab-under-fauci-tied-up-with-wuhan-institute-for-viral-research-653861">How dangerously US played with coronaviruses? Lab under Fauci tied up with Wuhan institute for viral research</a>

"If these annual rates of increase continue, we would expect the analysed pathogens to cause four times the number of spillover events and 12 times the number of deaths in 2050 than in 2020," the study stated.

<h2>Numbers probably an&nbsp;underestimate because Covid not included in study</h2>

The researchers, however, added that the figures mentioned in the study are most likely an underestimate because they did not include Covid as the disease failed to meet the strict criteria for inclusion. 
 
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has stated that it is "likely" that the coronavirus was transmitted by bats to humans, however, the theory has been disputed by some scientists. 
 
The study, which was published in BMJ Global Health, studied the historical trends for four different types of diseases. 
 
These diseases belong to the filoviruses group of illnesses, which are the Ebola virus and Marburg virus, SARS Coronavirus 1, Nipah virus, and Machupo virus.

Watch |&nbsp;Covid-19 increased risk of sudden death, says study

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/covid-19-increased-risk-of-sudden-death-says-study-655183/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Throughout the study, the researchers studied more than 3,000 outbreaks between 1963 and 2019 and spotted 75 spillover events which occurred in 24 countries. 
 
The study included epidemics reported by the WHO, as well as the outbreaks which killed at least 50 people since 1963, and historically significant events which included the flu pandemics of 1918 and 1957. 
 
In total, 17,232 deaths were caused by the events, with filoviruses leading to 15,771 casualties and most cases occurring in Africa. 
 
The researchers stated that the evidence from recent epidemics which eventually led to zoonotic spillovers suggested that they "are not an aberration or random cluster" but follow "a multi-decade trend in which spillover-driven epidemics have become both larger and more frequent".

The team stated that "urgent action is needed to address a large and growing risk to global health" on the basis of historical trends.

(With inputs from agencies)

&nbsp;

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A new study has warned that the diseases which get transmitted from animals to humans can increase the count of people who lost their lives in 2020 by 12 times if there is a breakout in the year 2050.

A new study has warned that the diseases which get transmitted from animals to humans can increase the count of people who lost their lives in 2020 by 12 times if there is a breakout in the year 2050. In the study, US biotech company Ginkgo Bioworks stated that the epidemics which are caused by a few zoonotic infectious diseases, which are also known as spillovers, can occur more frequently in future because of deforestation and climate change. The researchers discovered that there has been an increase in the number of epidemics by around 5 per cent every year between the years 1963 and 2019, with the casualties increasing by 9 per cent. ALSO READ | How dangerously US played with coronaviruses? Lab under Fauci tied up with Wuhan institute for viral research "If these annual rates of increase continue, we would expect the analysed pathogens to cause four times the number of spillover events and 12 times the number of deaths in 2050 than in 2020," the study stated. Numbers probably an underestimate because Covid not included in study The researchers, however, added that the figures mentioned in the study are most likely an underestimate because they did not include Covid as the disease failed to meet the strict criteria for inclusion. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has stated that it is "likely" that the coronavirus was transmitted by bats to humans, however, the theory has been disputed by some scientists. The study, which was published in BMJ Global Health, studied the historical trends for four different types of diseases. These diseases belong to the filoviruses group of illnesses, which are the Ebola virus and Marburg virus, SARS Coronavirus 1, Nipah virus, and Machupo virus. Watch | Covid-19 increased risk of sudden death, says study Throughout the study, the researchers studied more than 3,000 outbreaks between 1963 and 2019 and spotted 75 spillover events which occurred in 24 countries. The study included epidemics reported by the WHO, as well as the outbreaks which killed at least 50 people since 1963, and historically significant events which included the flu pandemics of 1918 and 1957. In total, 17,232 deaths were caused by the events, with filoviruses leading to 15,771 casualties and most cases occurring in Africa. The researchers stated that the evidence from recent epidemics which eventually led to zoonotic spillovers suggested that they "are not an aberration or random cluster" but follow "a multi-decade trend in which spillover-driven epidemics have become both larger and more frequent". The team stated that "urgent action is needed to address a large and growing risk to global health" on the basis of historical trends. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Human deaths from animal-to-human diseases to multiply 12 times by 2050: Study

The last two years have been haunted by&nbsp;fatal deaths, exhausting resources of governments, all because of Zoonotic diseases. These are diseases or infections which can easily be transferred to humans via animals or vice versa.&nbsp;Coronavirus,&nbsp;African swine flu, and Monkeypox are some examples of zoonotic diseases.

Quoting the Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention, "About 60 per cent of the known infectious diseases in humans and 75 per cent of all emerging infectious diseases are caused by pathogens that originate in animals."

Infections like African swine flu led to the culling of pigs in large numbers due to its ability to transfer and infect other pigs as well. The same goes for cows. They are kept in isolation to prevent lumpy skin infections from spreading further to other animals or humans. Hence it is important to integrate the health system of the environment, humans and animals.&nbsp;

'One Health' is an integrated, unifying approach to balance and optimize the health of people, animals and the environment.

But why 'One Health' approach is important? Of course, it reduces the risk of Zoonotic diseases, ensures food safety, helps in solving anti-microbial resistance, and protects biodiversity. The most important element of this approach is the systematic collection, collaboration, coordination, and commitment of relevant sectors to reduce the impact on health.

Let’s talk about India and its efforts towards one health approach. In India institutes like the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) have collaborated to control disease outbreaks. In 2004, an Integrated Disease Surveillance Project was introduced for the detection and response of any outbreak. The program failed to integrate animals and livestock.

In 2008, a roadmap was created for strategies, research and analyse which will help in minimising disease overflow. The National Mission on Biodiversity and Human Well-being was a framework to integrate ecosystem services, climate change, agriculture, health, bio-economy and capacity-building towards one health.

The government of India has set up a new department under ICMR to combat zoonotic diseases in its Nagpur centre. Furthermore a National Expert Group on one health. This paves the way to promote multi-sectoral, transdisciplinary, collaboration and cooperation to adopt one health approach.

The last two years have been haunted by fatal deaths, exhausting resources of governments, all because of Zoonotic diseases. These are diseases or infections which can easily be transferred to humans via animals or vice versa.

The last two years have been haunted by fatal deaths, exhausting resources of governments, all because of Zoonotic diseases. These are diseases or infections which can easily be transferred to humans via animals or vice versa. Coronavirus, African swine flu, and Monkeypox are some examples of zoonotic diseases. Quoting the Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention, "About 60 per cent of the known infectious diseases in humans and 75 per cent of all emerging infectious diseases are caused by pathogens that originate in animals." Infections like African swine flu led to the culling of pigs in large numbers due to its ability to transfer and infect other pigs as well. The same goes for cows. They are kept in isolation to prevent lumpy skin infections from spreading further to other animals or humans. Hence it is important to integrate the health system of the environment, humans and animals. 'One Health' is an integrated, unifying approach to balance and optimize the health of people, animals and the environment. But why 'One Health' approach is important? Of course, it reduces the risk of Zoonotic diseases, ensures food safety, helps in solving anti-microbial resistance, and protects biodiversity. The most important element of this approach is the systematic collection, collaboration, coordination, and commitment of relevant sectors to reduce the impact on health. Let’s talk about India and its efforts towards one health approach. In India institutes like the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) have collaborated to control disease outbreaks. In 2004, an Integrated Disease Surveillance Project was introduced for the detection and response of any outbreak. The program failed to integrate animals and livestock. In 2008, a roadmap was created for strategies, research and analyse which will help in minimising disease overflow. The National Mission on Biodiversity and Human Well-being was a framework to integrate ecosystem services, climate change, agriculture, health, bio-economy and capacity-building towards one health. The government of India has set up a new department under ICMR to combat zoonotic diseases in its Nagpur centre. Furthermore a National Expert Group on one health. This paves the way to promote multi-sectoral, transdisciplinary, collaboration and cooperation to adopt one health approach.

Can 'One Health' approach save the world from zoonotic infections?

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