Risk factors for emerging, re-emerging, and newly recognized arboviruses and zoonotic viruses in Brazilian amazon

Abstract

Research conducted over seven decades in the Brazilian Amazon has documented the emergence and re-emergence of arboviruses and zoonotic viruses associated with changes in natural ecosystems. Disturbances such as highway construction, deforestation for cattle ranching and soybean cultivation, dam construction for hydro-electric power, intensive mineral extraction, and other human activities can result in outbreaks of viruses maintained in zoonotic or enzootic cycles within forests. These disturbances facilitate the contact between humans and zoonotic hosts or vectors. The potential for a pandemic caused by Amazonian viruses is substantial. The most effective preventative measure is the preservation of the Amazon biome to reduce human encroachment on forested areas, thereby minimizing contact with zoonotic viruses that could initiate a human-vector transmission cycle.