Dr Peta Hitchens says coronaviruses generally have a “diverse” range of host animals but bats, primates and rodents pose the greatest risk of transmitting pathogens to humans – and just being in contact with them can cause a virus to spill over.
University of Melbourne epidemiology “Virus outbreaks really are driven by humans, they’re human problems with human causes, and that is because we facilitate the mixing of these diverse animal species, both animal and domestic,” Dr Hitchens said.
“We do this by holding live animal markets that sell wildlife, by hunting and trafficking wildlife, as well as by keeping wild animals in sanctuaries or as pets. “There are certain species of animals that are able to host a higher number of zoonotic viruses, and those specific species and orders – particularly bats, primates and rodents – are actually the highest risk to us. A wet market in Wuhan where animals were traded was identified as the likely place of origin for COVID-19.
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