COVID-19, from an emerging infectious disease to a global pandemic: How ecological, biological and epidemiological factors can influence the emergence of zoonotic pathogens

Philip Lawrence (1) , Michel Raquet (1)

1 UR CONFLUENCE : Sciences et Humanités (EA 1598)

The emergence of an infectious disease in the human population and its ability to reach epidemic or pandemic proportions is the result of a complex interplay between globally distributed ecosystems, pathogens and their human or animal hosts. In this review, we present an overview of our current understanding of the different factors that can influence zoonotic transmission of animal pathogens to humans, with particular emphasis on those behind the current COVID-19 pandemic, as well as previous infectious disease outbreaks in humans. Understanding the interactions between these factors will be vital in predicting future pandemics. Increased awareness of our vulnerability to new infectious diseases at the ecological, biological and societal levels will allow us to question our relationship with the world that surrounds us, to prioritise changes in behaviour, infrastructure, and our environmental impact, and to improve our ability to control and prevent such outbreaks in the future.

Mots clés: ZOONOSIS; EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASE; COVID-19; VULNERABILITY; ECOLOGY; ONE HEALTH

Domaines: Médecine humaine et pathologie

Philip Lawrence, Michel Raquet. COVID-19, from an emerging infectious disease to a global pandemic: How ecological, biological and epidemiological factors can influence the emergence of zoonotic pathogens. Revue CONFLUENCE Sciences & Humanités, 2022, 1, pp.29-57. ⟨hal-03774916⟩