Research by University College London reveals that humans transmit viruses to animals at a higher rate than the reverse, challenging previous beliefs and underlining the importance of monitoring cross-species virus transmissions.
A recent study carried out by researchers from University College London (UCL) found that humans transmit more viruses to both domestic and wild animals than they contract from them. This research, published in the journal Nature Ecology and Evolution, highlights the extent to which viruses can move from humans to animals, a direction of transmission that receives comparatively less attention than zoonotic diseases—those that jump from animals to humans, like Ebola, flu, and Covid-19.
By analyzing viral genome sequences, the UCL team discovered that this human-to-animal virus transmission, known as anthroponosis, happens roughly twice as often as animal-to-human transmission. The study’s lead author, PhD student Cedric Tan, alongside Professor Francois Balloux from the UCL Genetics Institute, emphasised the critical nature of understanding how viruses evolve to jump between species. They pointed out the potential risks to wildlife conservation and food security posed by human viruses spreading to animals.
The findings challenge the previously held belief that humans are primarily at the receiving end of viruses originating from animals. Instead, Professor Balloux suggested that humans should be considered as part of a larger network of hosts that exchange pathogens amongst each other. This perspective shift is vital for anticipating and managing future outbreaks and epidemics, and underscores the importance of monitoring viral transmissions between humans and animals to enhance disease prevention strategies and conservation efforts.
The UCL study calls for a deeper investigation into viral evolution and the mechanisms behind viral host jumps, not only to better prepare for emerging infectious diseases in humans and animals but also to support global conservation and food security efforts.
