A zoonotic disease is an illness that can be transmitted from animals directly to humans. Unfortunately, such a spillover is a potentially dangerous one. The novel coronavirus that was first identified in Wuhan, China that we now identify as “COVID-19” is an example of such a disease.
Prior to this emergence – which is officially known as “SARS-CoV-2” – SARS-CoV and the MERS-CoV originated in civets and camels, respectively, and passed on to other animals that – eventually – resulted in a pass to people.
SARS-CoV-2 is believed to originated from bats. Today, it has resulted in millions of infections and massive amounts of death. The threat of zoonotic-based pandemics is dramatically increasing. In response to this, our efforts must also increase to prevent and stop such a crisis.
Origination in Bats – A Certainty
It is certain that the current coronavirus pandemic originated in bats. Professor Stephen Turner that works at Monash University has stated that fact is certain. At this point, though, that is all that we know for sure.
While it is believed that the virus emerged from a live animal market in Wuhan when a human interacted with the infected animal is currently a hypothesis. This is especially true given that viruses are circulating regularly among animals.
Did it come directly from a bat or did the bat pass the virus through an intermediary animal like the coronaviruses of the past? Time will tell. The truth of the matter is, wildlife has the potential to spread illnesses and those illnesses may quickly pass to humans and result in the same type of pandemic that we are currently facing.
Self-Isolation Results in the Emergence of Wildlife
Nearly every area of the world has some sort of order in place that recommends social distancing and/or isolation. As a result of this, less people are out and about. Wildlife is finding their way into our cities and our neighborhoods.
Alligators have been spotted on Myrtle Beach in Barefoot Landing, foxes have been observed sleeping in backyards, deer are wandering city streets, coyotes and sunbathing in normally heavily populated neighborhoods, birds are flocking dumpsters in an effort to find food sources, and squirrels are seemingly taking over parks.
People not only scare off wildlife with their daily activities, they are food sources for wildlife – but with dumpsters sitting empty and restaurant closures, they cannot – so easily – find what they seek.
Stay Away
If you are in an area where a stay at home advisory has been issued, it is quite likely that you will – eventually – observe some seemingly unusual activity from wildlife that is native to your region. While this may catch you off guard and even surprise you, it is imperative that you avoid these creatures.
Not only do they pose potential immediate dangers – such as an attack – they have the potential to pass on illnesses. These illnesses may result in diseases that result in massive outbreaks like the current coronavirus.
If you see wildlife, report it and seek out wildlife professionals to remove those creatures. If you live in South Carolina, you may contact us here at Palmetto Wildlife Extractors. We are the highest-rated South Carolina wildlife extractors in the state: 855-465-1088