AsianScientist (Feb. 11, 2014) – Experts sometimes describe Southeast Asia as a “hotspot” for emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) because several major outbreaks have started in this region. Now, with unprecedented levels of connection between animals and people through urbanization, and of people with other people through increased air travel, scientists say the threat level for new diseases is high.

The US-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) note that approximately 75 percent of EIDs found in humans are zoonoses – initially transmitted from animals to humans. The Ebola virus originally came from bats, HIV was likely transmitted from primates, and H5N1 Influenza A (bird flu) came from chickens.

A 2013 paper on Southeast Asia in the journal of Emerging Infectious Diseases pointed out:

“The probability of new emerging diseases may be reduced by many… socioeconomic changes such as urbanization, and the industrialization and commercialization of agriculture and food production.”

But the authors also warned that these changes could have the opposite effect because of a “greater concentration and connectivity of livestock and persons.”

With visa-free travel on the horizon for the 10 countries in the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), and the proliferation of low-budget airlines, experts predict that a more rapid spread of diseases may soon follow.

For more information please visit: AsianScientist