Protecting the environment can protect us from pandemics

Protecting the environment can protect us from pandemics

- Damaged environmental ecosystems are leading to the increased prevalence, transmission, and severity of disease outbreaks

Sharjah, United Arab Emirates: Deforestation, air, soil, water pollution, imperishable waste and other environmental issues impacting the globe are intrinsically linked to the increasing frequency and lethality of zoonotic diseases such as COVID-19. This is according to a new study published by Elsevier in its journal “Hygiene and Environmental Health Advances”. The study was led by BEEAH Environmental Services, the environmental consultancy business of Middle East sustainability pioneer, BEEAH Group.

The evidence-based review was informed by the studies of over 700,000 viruses derived from high-risk viral families observed since the 1980s. Through improved environmental management, the study found, the risk of infectious zoonotic disease outbreaks could be mitigated and ultimately prevent the occurrence of pandemic outbreaks similar to COVID-19 in the future.

“Healthy environmental ecosystems create a sanitary barrier that limits the spread of disease. Additionally, protecting against the effects of climate change may play a significant role in minimising the impact and transmission of infectious diseases. Therefore, it is vital that we increase our focus on protecting the environment to improve our resilience to future pandemics,” said Eng. Mohamed AlHosani, Chief Sustainability Officer at BEEAH Group,