Published Paper Details:

The alarming rise of new emerging viruses and the re-emergence of previously known viruses is a major global health concern. Climate change, with its devastating consequences of biodiversity loss and habitat change, is disrupting ecosystems. This disarray creates prime conditions for the spillover of zoonotic pathogens (diseases transmissible from animals to humans), exemplified by the recent COVID-19 pandemic. Melting permafrost further adds to the equation, potentially releasing ancient, unknown viruses trapped for millennia. Globalization facilitates the spread of these emergent viruses to new geographical areas where outbreaks have resulted in socio-economic crises. This review explores the rise of new emerging viruses with pandemic potential, focusing on the role of environmental change and human behavior in their emergence. We examine how these factors, including urbanization and increased human-wildlife interaction, are creating a breeding ground for novel viral threats. Recognizing the critical link between a changing environment and the rise of zoonotic infectious diseases is paramount for developing effective strategies to mitigate future pandemics.