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According to researchers who have studied the connection between environment and health, the next virus pandemic may come from the Amazon.
The reason for this is that there are many animals and species in the jungle that carry different viruses.
When the forest is later devastated, these animals come into contact with humans and our pets, which in turn increases the risk of further infectious diseases occurring, Vetenskapsradion reports.
“The Amazon has one of the largest variations of animal species in the world and we know that it is related to the variety of infectious agents,” said Aaron Bernstein of Harvard University, who heads the research center.
The risk of new pandemics increases the more people exploit nature, the researchers say.
The solution: stop cutting down forests
Researchers have now identified several “hot spots,” or high-risk areas, where the risk of new viral diseases is flagged as extra large. One of these areas is the Amazon in Brazil.
According to Aaron Berstein, the solution is to stop the clearing of the rainforest and as soon as possible.
– Then, for our own good, we should stop cutting down the forest as soon as possible, says Bernstein.
