Land usage changes may lead to spread of new diseases like Covid-19: Study

This can alter the behaviour of the flying mammals, reduce their biodiversity, and compromise the ecosystem functions they offer, the scientists said

Changes in land-use patterns alter the behaviour of animals, and may lead to the emergence of new diseases like Covid-19 from mammals like rodents, livestock, bats, and primates, a review research says.

According to the study, published in the journal Mammal Review, most new human viruses are transmitted from other animals, especially those kept in industrial domestication systems where a large number of animals are confined to a small space in close physical contact.

Citing an example, the scientists, including those from the University of Exeter in the UK, said in Indian dairy farms, abandoning infected cattle, lack of education