WHO warns of the emergence of new epidemics

It is still not known for sure about the causes of the increase in diseases. However, researchers hypothesize that the way humans deal with the environment may be related. The effects caused by climate change, according to experts, is a crucial factor in increasing the risk of contact between humans and disease-causing agents.

In the most recent case of Covid-19, for example, studies are trying to identify the source of the SARS-CoV-2 infection. And they point to the consumption of animals sold in a market in Wuhan, China, being seen as the initial cause of the pandemic. Another hypothesis raised relates to a “jump” of the virus that would be present in bats and would have gained the ability to infect people.

“The threat remains of the emergence of another variant that causes new outbreaks of disease and death. And the threat of another emerging pathogen with even deadlier potential remains. Pandemics are far from the only threat we face. In a world of overlapping and converging crises, an effective architecture for health emergency preparedness and response must address emergencies of all types.”said Tedros Adhanom, WHO Director-General at the 76th World Health Assembly.

_{Tedros Adhanom, director general of the World Health Organization. (Photo: Reproduction/ WHO/ Jovem Pan)}

Some factors such as the advance of housing in areas and natural reserves that are home to wild species, precarious hygiene services, food based on wild animals, lack of hygiene for food preparation, lack of basic sanitation and the effects of climate change contribute to the increased risks of human exposure to disease-causing agents.

Sanitarian Gonzalo Vecina, professor at the University of São Paulo (USP) public health faculty, highlights the importance of epidemiological surveillance. Watching the environment, identifying if there are non-standard deaths in the animal world, and trying to find the causes of these deaths. The WHO states that climate change has negative impacts on public health, and that precautions must be taken by the public authorities.

Featured Photo: WHO warns of the emergence of new diseases. Playback/ Sebastião Moreira/ Veja.