Trade in wild animals increases the risk of transmitting pathogens to humans

A study conducted at the University of Lausanne's Department of Ecology and Evolution and published in Science on April 9 highlights the impact of wildlife trade on the transmission of pathogens between animals and humans. By cross-referencing 40 years of data on international wildlife trade with a vast database listing bacteria, viruses and parasites associated with mammals, researchers show that traded species are significantly more likely to share infectious agents with humans.