Potential Reservoirs of Viral Zoonotic Disease

One-third of infectious diseases have a zoonotic origin. Rapid urbanization and industrialization have affected the environment and increased the chance of spillover of different viral zoonotic pathogens. Viral epidemics of zoonotic origin are now becoming a menace for humanity. The most notable example is the COVID-19 pandemic that spread all over the world within weeks. Different animals such as bats, canines, non-human primates and birds act as reservoir hosts of many viruses. Sudden amplification of these viruses by amplifier hosts can lead to drastic outcomes. Researchers from different biological fields should work in liaison for a better understanding of genetic factors of viruses that can become the source of sudden mutation and increased pathogenicity and transmission to other hosts.