Preventing a repeat pandemic - 26th May 2023

As the world slowly returns to normality after the pandemic, scientists are actively trying to prevent another one occurring. In Mexico, French and Mexican experts are concentrating their research on particular diseases transmitted from animals to people, called 'zoonoses'.

Bats, a possible source of coronavirus, are one focus. However, whether it's birds or other mammals like rats, the team wants to learn how the diseases circulate between species and to find out areas at risk.

Rosa Elena Sarmiento, from the Virology Laboratory at Mexico's National Autonomous University, heads the research.

Rosa Elena Sarmiento: "So what this project aims to do is to have this knowledge in order to be able to predict future pandemics if possible, which is what has just happened to us recently, with the knowledge of which viruses are circulating, so that we can give a risk map of these areas and put the red lights where they should be."

The research team is working in an area of the Yucatan jungle experiencing rapid deforestation due to an increase in agriculture and tourism. This is bringing humans and animals into very close contact.

Since the animal population has between 500,000 and 800,000 viruses, which could be transmitted to humans, the project involves monitoring local people's blood for animal-related diseases. This allows scientists to take crucial preventative steps, as researcher Audrey Arnal states.

Audrey Arnal: "If there are viruses that are also in the wild and in the human population, we know that in these viruses we have to develop surveillance and prevention strategies because a slightly more virulent strain can develop and then an epidemic can occur."

The programme holds workshops and discusses relevant issues with communities, attempting to comprehend social and economic problems. It can then inform people how to coexist with nature.

Providing a prevention strategy against zoonoses is the overall intention, to serve as an example to the world which could avert another global crisis.