Traded wildlife poses biggest zoonotic spillover risk, study finds
Updated
Updated · The Wildlife Society · Apr 29
Traded wildlife poses biggest zoonotic spillover risk, study finds
9 articles · Updated · The Wildlife Society · Apr 29
In Science, researchers analysing 40 years of trade data found 41% of traded mammals share pathogens with humans, versus 6% of non-traded species.
They said risk rises with time and proximity: each decade a species is traded adds about one shared pathogen, while animals sold live and illegally traded species showed higher transmission.
The findings suggest wildlife trade helps drive animal-to-human disease spread, and the authors said protective equipment, tighter regulation and lower demand for exotic animals could reduce future spillovers.
As calls to regulate wildlife trade grow, could a total ban paradoxically make a future pandemic more likely?
With illegal wildlife sales moving online, can AI truly outsmart the criminal networks driving the next pandemic threat?
The Wildlife Trade Pandemic Time Bomb: One New Human Pathogen Per Decade in Traded Mammals
Overview
A 2026 study reveals that global wildlife trade significantly raises pandemic risk, with 41% of traded mammal species carrying human pathogens—much higher than non-traded species. High-risk animals like primates and pangolins, often targeted by illegal trade, carry more pathogens, especially under poor hygiene and biosecurity conditions. Live animal markets further amplify spillover risks by mixing stressed species in close contact. Despite international rules, enforcement struggles against organized crime and online trafficking, hindered by funding and cooperation gaps. Advances in online and field surveillance, demand reduction campaigns, and supporting sustainable livelihoods offer promising paths to reduce these risks and prevent future pandemics.