Zoonotic

I recently learned a new word: Zoonotic. Do you know what it is? Do you know that Zoonotic diseases cause over 2 billion cases of human illness and 2.2 million deaths per year? But what is a Zoonotic disease? A Zoonotic disease is a pathogen (virus) that has been transmitted from an animal to a human. Some examples of Zoonotic diseases are Covid-19, Rabies and Ebola. 

Humans usually get infected by a Zoonotic disease by eating a dead infected animal or getting bit. In this case, the animal is called a host (as it compares the animal as an Airbnb and the virus as the renter). The way the virus is transmitted is through infected fluid such as saliva or mucus. The virus infects by traveling into the bloodstream and finding a host cell. The virus that infects the cell and then tampers with its reproduction system to code it to replicate the virus. Now what the virus has to do is just stay alive until it multiplies. During this time period, the body's immune system will try to track down and kill the virus. 

I feel like Zoonotic viruses have changed the world a lot with the Covid-19 pandemic. We now have to wear a mask, we can’t go outside and there is quarantine. Other than that, viruses have been making our everyday lives harder, with the flu getting people sick and other viruses infecting animals. The pandemic has also raised some concerns about racism around the world. For example, there has been an increase in anti-Asian hate in North America and Europe. Although Zoonotic viruses have changed our lives a lot, we can still think in a positive way as we can take this chance to try to reshape our lives. For example, Covid-19 reduced global warming speed by up to 40% because of the lack of cars on the road. Furthermore, we have spent more time with our families as a result of quarantine, working from home and reduced travel time. Covid-19 has also taught us how to be a responsible citizen by wearing masks and taking the necessary precautions to avoid infecting other people.  And in the dark, there is always light. Throughout the pandemic, people banded together and formed communities to help people in need. They donated supplies and did fundraisers to help support local hospitals. Covid-19 may have brought some sins but it also gave humanity some good. 

Overall, Zoonotic has affected us in a lot of ways and that it is both positive and negative. I also feel like Zoonotic diseases are beneficial to our survival as they keep pest populations low and give us a chance to reflect on what we have done bad. Just some thoughts.