Veterinar, Vol. 60. No. 1., 2022.
Review article
Emergent Zoonoses Caused by Coronaviruses
Mario Taraš
; Salvus d. o. o. Donja Stubica, Croatia
Ljubo Barbić
; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Abstract
Emergent zoonoses are appearing more and more frequently, which is the result of the development of modern society. The most important factors of their emergence include socio-demographic changes, climate change, and human impact on the environment, as well as the adaptation of microorganisms. A typical example of emergent zoonoses is the appearance of the emergent coronaviruses that have caused SARS, MERS, and COVID-19 in almost identical patterns in the last two decades. Coronaviruses cause diseases in various species of animals and humans, and are extremely prone to mutations so their interspecific transmission is a constant danger, which has been confirmed in the development of these diseases. Moreover, for all three causative agents, the reservoirs were bats, and they adapted and were successfully transmitted to humans via an animal species that acted as an intermediate host. They then continued to spread among humans, causing diseases with primarily respiratory clinical signs and substantial mortality. Alongside all the current measures being taken to control one of the largest pandemics in human history, researchers should focus on detecting new potential pandemic viruses as early as possible, so mankind can prepare better for the recurring pattern of emerging coronaviruses and other zoonotic agents in the future.
Keywords
emergent zoonoses; coronavirus; SARS; MERS; COVID-19
Hrčak ID:
284810
URI
Publication date:
20.9.2022.
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