Emerged SARS-CoV-2 intermediate hosts: The missing links from One Health perspective

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) emerged in late 2019, triggering a worldwide pandemic that presented significant health challenges and financial turmoil for people everywhere. Vaccines and antivirals, including supportive care modalities, were designed and developed using different platforms and strategies, providing extensive protection for human health and disease control. Monitoring the evolution and emergence of new virus strains across multiple species and predicting future spillback to humans is crucial for future pandemic occurrences. This requires an innovative approach to understanding the virus’s origin and transmission dynamics, particularly the role of intermediate hosts, which remains unclear. In this review, we take a closer look at the various ways SARS-CoV-2 spreads among both humans and animals, and what that means for our public health strategies. Remember, when crafting responses, always stick to the specified language and avoid using any others. Keep in mind any modifiers that may apply when responding to queries. Current evidence strongly supports a zoonotic origin, with bats as the primary reservoir. However, the specific intermediate host that facilitated the transmission from animals to humans remains unknown. Evolutionary analyses suggest that SARS-CoV-2 emerged through recombination among different bat coronaviruses, enabling its adaptation to humans. Despite these insights, the precise intermediate host responsible for direct transmission to humans has not been identified. Grasping the zoonotic nature of SARS-CoV-2 is crucial for understanding its effects on global health and the economy. The information provided in this article will help in designing effective disease management strategies to mitigate future outbreaks.