71 Urbanization and Habitat Encroachment

Rapid urbanization and encroachment into wildlife habitats is another key driver of zoonotic disease emergence (Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases 2016). The growing cities and the conversion of forests or rural land into urban areas lead to the reduction of the distance between humans and wildlife. Human activities such as logging, mining and suburban encroachment bring people closer to species that could harbor new pathogens (Cummings et al. 2021). Such interactions give viruses, bacteria or parasites a chance to switch from animals to humans. Wet markets, deforestation and bushmeat hunting are all associated with higher zoonotic risk (Morse et al. 2012). As habitats become smaller, animal populations are compressed into smaller areas leading to increased stress and disease spread within the wildlife. Consequently, people who come into contact with these animals for food, trade, or cultural purposes are at a higher risk (Zoonotic Diseases and Emerging Health Threats 2023). Lack of environmental measures during urbanization results in public health concerns. It is therefore crucial to incorporate ecological aspects into urban planning and land use policies in order to avoid disease problems in the long run (World Health Organization 2023). (E.B.)