Bundestag: Wildlife as an Infection Risk

60 percent of known human infectious diseases are of animal origin — as are at least 75 percent of newly emerging infectious diseases in humans. Experts cited these figures from the World Organisation for Animal Health during discussions in the German Bundestag in the context of the coronavirus pandemic.

Their unanimous appeal: to guard against such crises, humans, animals, and the environment must all be considered together. The discussion focused specifically on zoonoses — infectious diseases caused by bacteria, parasites, fungi, prions, or viruses that can be transmitted between animals and humans. Members of parliament sought to address causes, spread, and prevention. The session, in which experts participated via video link, was chaired in the Bundestag by Sylvia Kotting-Uhl (Alliance 90/The Greens).

«High population density and global mobility»

Professor Franz J. Conraths of the Federal Research Institute for Animal Health identified three aspects of particular importance for the emergence of new zoonoses.First, he cited the interaction between wildlife, livestock, and humans, for example at live animal markets. He also mentioned high population density and global mobility. Global regulations governing the trade in animals and animal-derived products are unable to capture illegal trade. A solution may be found in the One Health approach, which emphasises the health of humans, animals, and the environment.

«Better controls on legal species trade»

Arnulf Köhncke (WWF Germany) called for, in order to reduce the risks of zoonoses, decisive action against illegal wildlife trade as well as better controls on legal species trade. Furthermore, biodiversity must be protected and recognized as indispensable for ecosystems and human health. The health of humans, wildlife, and the environment must consistently be considered together in the future.

"Expand species protection to include health protection"

Professor Isabella Eckerle (University of Geneva) — and this applied to all the experts — expressed no surprise that yet another virus had managed to make the host jump to humans. She pointed out that the control and restriction of wildlife trade has so far focused primarily on species protection . This must urgently be expanded to include the aspect of health protection.From a human-medical and virological perspective, a comprehensive import ban on wild animals appears appropriate given the incalculable risks involved. She also drew attention to the keeping of wild animals in fur farms, for instance, as well as to exotic pets. The associated risks have not yet been clarified.

"Extend import ban to all wild animals"

For Sandra Altherr (Pro Wildlife), preventive measures in Germany against zoonoses must include extending the import ban on wild birds to all wild animals. The keeping of pets must be regulated uniformly across all federal states through a positive list. In addition to mandatory labeling of animals' origins, strict requirements for online trade and sales at animal fairs are needed. The expert called for stronger international engagement to preserve habitats and ecosystems and to combat illegal — as well as legal — wildlife trade. Preventive species, nature, and climate protection must be the guiding principles of policy.

"Pandemics are man-made"

Professor Simone Sommer (University of Ulm) concluded that pandemics are man-made.Zoonoses are most commonly linked to the consumption of bushmeat, i.e. wildlife trade, to factory farming, or to environmental destruction and changes in land use. Humanity stands at a turning point. It must preserve the remaining natural spaces. Environmental and species protection must finally be given the necessary weight in political and economic decisions — in the spirit of OneHealth/EcoHealth and, not least, climate protection.