For several years now, the world is still struggling to deal with the pandemic COVID-19. The pandemic is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus which comes from animals. In fact, this isn’t the first time humans have faced a pandemic caused by animals. From HIV, Ebola, Nipah and bird flu, are some examples of pandemics transmitted by animals.
Usually, once a pandemic occurs, humans will rush to seek treatment to stop the pandemic from spreading. However, do experts currently plan to prevent future pandemics by stopping their spread in animals before it spreads to humans? One plan to make this happen is through vaccination. As well as? Check out the following explanation!
1. Animals can transmit diseases to humans
Site explained Center for Disease Control and Preventionsometimes animal it can carry harmful germs that can spread to humans and cause disease. This is known as a disease zoonosis.
Zoonoses triggered by harmful microorganisms, such as viruses, bacteria, parasites, and fungi. These microorganisms can trigger various types of diseases in humans and animals, ranging from mild to fatal. Sometimes, seemingly healthy animals can also carry disease germs. This then makes it easy for the disease to spread from animals to humans.
2. How is the vaccination of animals beneficial?
illustration of a raccoon being vaccinated through food (pixabay.com/marksbunker)University of Idaho biologists are advocating a pandemic prevention approach through vaccination in a study published in the journal Nature Ecology & Evolution in 2020. This idea has actually been tested in North America and Europe to control anger. For example, in North America, raccoons are vaccinated against rabies by scattering vaccinated bait for wild raccoons to eat. When the bait is eaten, it means the raccoon has been vaccinated against rabies. And of course, it further protects farm animals and humans in contact with raccoons.
Unfortunately, vaccinating some animal populations is extremely difficult. For example, rodents that can carry infectious diseases, such as Hantavirus or Lassa virus. This is because these animals reproduce quickly so that the immunity they get from vaccinations disappears quickly.
Also Read: These 8 Animals Love Pretending To Be Other Animals, They Can Really Be Alike!
3. Vaccine dissemination methods
illustration of a dog being vaccinated (pexels.com/Mikhail Nilov)Continue reading the article below
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Scientists have proposed two ways to vaccinate wildlife: create transferable vaccines (transferable) and which can be transmitted (transmissible).
Site explained euronews, transferable vaccines are applied directly to the skin or coat of animals. Afterwards, the animal is returned to the colony. So when these vaccinated animals are cared for by the colony. Like being licked or cleaned, the vaccine is passed on to the next animal.
So, the second way is through vaccines transmissible. Reported per page Quanta magazine, this vaccine consists of a live virus that spreads a mild form of the disease. This type of vaccine is considered ideal for large wild populations because it only needs to vaccinate a few individuals. Hence, individuals who have been vaccinated will spread immunity widely when they come into contact with other individuals.
4. Vaccination greatly benefits the animal population
illustration of a woman holding a dog (freepik.com/wayhomestudio)Summary from the page Euro News, In addition to helping humans, vaccinating wildlife can also help animals themselves by reducing the chances of animals being blamed for spreading disease. For example, if a particular animal is suspected of being the cause of an epidemic, often the only solution offered is to kill that animal.
Indeed, actions like this are often criticized by human beings themselves, especially animal rights activists. So, through vaccinating wild animals, it is hoped that animals will no longer be tortured on suspicion of carrying diseases.
5. Vaccines are in preparation
animal vaccine development illustration (pexels.com/Edward Jenner)Site explained impacts, Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), public health vaccine, And Crozet Biopharmacy, are working together to develop a vaccine against Nipah virus (NiV). The virus is believed to cause severe respiratory and central nervous system disease in humans with a mortality rate of 40 to 75%.
Nipah was first reported in humans in Malaysia in 1999. Epidemiological investigations revealed that patients infected with Nipah virus had a history of contact with bats, bat urine or pigs, but transmission from person to person.
WHO And I took have identified Nipah virus as a dangerous pathogen that can cause epidemics in areas with few medical response resources. Several Nipah vaccines are under development using multiple platforms. Two vaccines are currently in clinical trials. Several vaccines for Lyme disease, Hendra virus, Lassa virus, and coccidioidomycosis are also in development.
Hopefully, ideas vaccination for animals this can be accomplished immediately and truly be able to prevent future pandemics.
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