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Submitted to: Microbiology Spectrum
Publication Type: Book / Chapter Publication Acceptance Date: 6/27/2016 Publication Date: 8/1/2016 Citation: Kingsley, D.H. 2016. Emerging foodborne and agriculture-related viruses. Microbiology Spectrum. doi: 10.1128/Microbiolspec.PFS-0007-2014. Interpretive Summary: In this book chapter, the role of agriculture and wildlife are discussed in the context of emerging viruses which are either known or undefined threats to food consumers or which emerge as result of the interaction between wildlife and domestic animals. The discovery of numerous new viruses which could potentially infect humans by a food-borne route is also discussed. Technical Abstract: Viruses rapidly evolve and can emerge in unpredictable ways. Mechanisms by which food-borne viruses may enter human populations and become pathogens is discussed. It is known the majority of viruses emerge from zoonotic animal reservoirs, often by adapting and infecting intermediate hosts, such as domestic animals and livestock. Viruses that are known food-borne threats include hepatitis E virus, tick-borne encephalitis virus, enteroviruses, adenovirus and astroviruses, among others. Viruses that may potentially evolve and emerge as a result of modern agricultural practices include Influenza, Coronaviruses such as severe acute respiratory syndrome and Middle East respiratory syndrome, and the Nipahvirus. The role of bats, bush meat, rodents, pigs, cattle and poultry as reservoirs from which infectious pathogenic viruses emerge is discussed. |
