How pandemics begin
Over the last century, scientists have been quietly acknowledging increasing outbreaks of novel infectious diseases at regular intervals. Episodic reassortment of the genetic material of avian and human influenza viruses result periodically in a new virus to which humans may be non-immune. Later outbreaks of Nipah in Bangladesh revealed that bats whose natural habitats had been disturbed had started frequenting forest fringes to eat date palm sap. Degradation of their wild habitats due to climate change, excessive deforestation due to intensified agricultural practices and human settlements result in their migration to new habitats often near human habitation. Intensive animal husbandry such as poultry farming and pig farming increase the risk of spillover of new viruses from wild animals.
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