We call ourselves science communicators.
At our core, we’re driven by one question: how can we make lives better with science?

Taking a step in that direction, we are starting our series, DeepDive.
Every week, we will share useful science stories that make you reflect and use science to make better decisions every day.

This week, we bring news from the animal world.

The holiday season is here, and many of us are heading off to exciting destinations. But as you pack your bags, remember, travel is also about being mindful of the risks that come with it, such as unknowingly spreading infections. (remember Covid?)

This raises an important question: How careful do we need to be when we travel?

As a recent paper points out, wild birds including ducks and geese, can carry over 150 zoonotic pathogens, including avian influenza and West Nile virus. Data from more than 1800 studies were used to build machine learning models that predicted global hotspots for these pathogens. Key regions include parts of Southeast Asia, sub-Saharan Africa, and Central America, areas where human-wildlife interactions are most frequent. (Yes, these are your favorite travel destinations like Masai Mara, Bali, Malaysia, Thailand…)

Another key finding reveals a nuanced dynamic: while migratory birds carry a diverse variety, resident birds harbor a higher proportion of pathogens. This highlights that both migratory and resident birds play significant yet distinct roles in the spread of pathogens. In the human context, it’s a stark reminder of travelers often becoming carriers of what resident’s harbor, amplifying the risk of disease transmission across regions.

These findings bring to focus the influence of human activities and attitudes in letting these pathogens spread.

So, how can we be more careful?

Enjoy wildlife responsibly. Observe animals from a safe distance, avoid feeding birds, and take preventive steps like researching health risks and staying up to date on vaccinations. Small actions like these protect not just you, but also the ecosystems and communities you visit.

This holiday season let’s explore the world mindfully.