Opening of Amazon reservoir could cause “new pandemic”, says researcher

In an interview with CNN, Lucas Ferrante, a biologist and researcher at USP and the Federal University of Amazonas (UFAM), warned about the risks of opening the zoonotic reservoir in the Amazon, which could have consequences for the population with a possible “new pandemic”. The researcher also highlighted that infrastructure projects and fires could have consequences for global public health.

Risk of a new pandemic

Researcher Lucas Ferrante reported on the consequences of a global pandemic, where he commented on a study carried out that was recently published in the journal “The Lancet” which demonstrates that the Amazon forest block is the largest zoonotic reservoir in the world.

_{Biologist and researcher Lucas Ferrante explains the risks of a “New Pandemic” with the opening of the reservoir (Video: reproduction/YouTube/CNN Brasil)}

During the interview with CNN, biologist and researcher Lucas Ferrante gave more details about the situation “If it is opened, we will come into contact with a huge number of pathogens. Bacteria, fungi, prions. So this could give rise not only to a new pandemic, but to a sequence of new global pandemics.” he highlighted.

Impacts of the BR-319 highway, court decision and indigenous rights

According to Lucas Ferrante, after the implementation of a maintenance program in 2015 on the BR-319 highway, which connects Manaus to Porto Velho, there was an impact that exponentially increased deforestation and land grabbing in the region. The biologist made a point of emphasizing that scientific studies have shown that the forest block needs to remain and continue to be preserved due to the serious consequences of its opening.There is no contingent capacity to monitor the area, so much so that we see the smoke getting out of control. In five days, the region became the epicenter of global greenhouse gas emissions, which are also increasing the drought in the Amazon.”reported Lucas Ferrante.

_{Lucas Ferrante explains the effects of the fires in the Amazon (Video: reproduction/YouTube/CNN Brazil)}

Lucas Ferrante also spoke about the court decision that suspended the preliminary license for the BR-319 highway, stating that there was a lack of adequate studies, including the absence of an economic feasibility study and the failure to consult the affected indigenous peoples.There are more than 18 thousand indigenous people affected who are having their rights violated“, said the biologist and researcher in the interview. The biologist and researcher concluded by saying about the importance of preserving the region, stating that the highway is not a solution, but rather an aggravating factor for public health and environmental problems, in addition to having highlighted that the opening of the zoonotic reservoir in the Amazon could bring devastating consequences not only for biodiversity and the local economy, but also for global health, causing a global impact on the population.

Featured Photo: Fire in the Amazon Rainforest (Reproduction/MICHAEL DANTAS/AFP via Getty Images Embed)