Illegal Wildlife Trade: A Gateway to Zoonotic Infectious Diseases
128 Citations•2021•
Marcos Antônio Bezerra‐Santos, Jairo Alfonso Mendoza‐Roldan, R.C.A. Thompson
Potential risks of IWT on the spreading and emergence of zoonotic pathogens are discussed.
Abstract
The illegal wildlife trade (IWT) is a criminal practice bringing several ecological and public health consequences, such as the spreading of zoonotic pathogens and/or the introduction of exotic species of animals into new geographical areas. Here, we discuss potential risks of IWT on the spreading and emergence of zoonotic pathogens.