Part 13/18:
He notes that bats, civet cats, and pangolins are known sources for coronaviruses, and that these markets could become breeding grounds for future pandemics. The importance of regulating, monitoring, and possibly shutting down such markets is a key public health priority, but cultural and economic factors complicate swift action.
Ecological Factors and Climate Change's Role in Disease Spread
Reflecting on ecological systems, Dr. Michael discusses how fire suppression in forests has inadvertently increased risks of certain parasitic infections in wildlife, such as brain worms in moose, which are spread by deer. Lack of natural fires allows dense forests to develop, favoring deer survival and spread of ticks, which carry Lyme disease.