Taking a lesson from the COVID-19 pandemic: Preventing the future outbreaks of viral zoonoses through a multi-faceted approach

Abstract

The pandemic of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has caused a significant burden to healthcare systems, economic crisis, and public fears. It is also a lesson to be learned and a call-to-action to minimize the risk of future viral pandemics and their associated challenges. The present paper outlines selected measures (i.e., monitoring and identification of novel viral agents in animals, limitations to wildlife trade, decreasing hunting activities, changes to mink farming and meat production), the implementation of which would decrease such a risk. The role of viral surveillance systems and research exploring the virus strains associated with different animal hosts is emphasized along with the need for stricter wild trade regulations and changes to hunting activities. Finally, the paper suggests modifications to the meat production system, particularly through the introduction of cultured meat that would not only decrease the risk of exposure to novel human viral pathogens but also strengthen food security and decrease the environmental impacts of food production.

Keywords: Cultured meat; Hunting; Mink farming; Pandemic; SARS-CoV-2; Viral surveillance.

Graphical abstract

Fig. 1

Number of all traded animal species (phylums for all traded animals, classes for terrestrial vertebrates only). Less than 8% of the species affected by the wildlife trade are terrestrial mammals, i.e., animals that present an urgent challenge in identifying viruses potentially pathogenic to humans.