Zoonotic infections are diseases that originate from animals and are able to jump from species to species. As the human race continues to evolve and expand, we make ourselves more vulnerable to both new and old diseases and infections. “Spillover” refers to our continuous increase in exposure to these hidden diseases as we explore and expose ourselves to new places, especially places when humans are not traditionally found in or used to.

Examples of emerging infectious diseases that we have been exposed to via exposure/ interactions with animals include Zika, Ebola, Chikungunya, Marburg virus, HIV, and influenza. Not all zoonotic diseases are infectious. The film watched in class focused specifically on Zika and Ebola virus.

Zika is transmitted by mosquitoes and spread by sex and blood transfusions. It first emerged around the 1950s in Africa and symptoms can be mild or even nonexistent. Zika leads to birth defects in babies, specifically microcephalin, poor brain development, triangular faces, and no foreheads. As Darwin theorized, species survive best when they begin to diversity populations. Ebola is transmitted by bats. Bats contain antibodies against Ebola in their blood, serving as a perfect natural living reservoir and host for the virus. In its early days in Central Africa, it would not cause huge damage, as the societies were isolated from each other. However, in West Africa, it spread quickly through the densely packed, connected civilizations. This disease spreads from person to person, contact with body fluids, and dead bodies. It is described to be “spread through love… when people realize they can’t care for their loved ones, that’s how the disease slows down” (film in class). Cases could be tracked to bats eating or urinating on fruits consumed by the people, or consuming infected animals themselves.

As humans keep exploring and expanding, there is little to be done about the zoonotic “spillover” infectious diseases, except to be aware and knowledgeable about the past and the present. We become more and more vulnerable as we continue to encroach on new places. It’s human nature to continue to want to expand and proceed with the search for more than what we have – we’ll never be content. For these reasons, we are more vulnerable now than ever; it is important for us to be aware of the potential consequences and to be ready to combat any pathogen thrown on our path before it becomes out of control.

Help received: in class worksheet, notes, film in class