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Abstract.

A maxim published in Suzhou, China, in 1627 said something to the effect of “Yuàn nín shēnghuó zài yǒuqù de shídài” (May you live in interesting times). Of course, that maxim is both a blessing and a curse. In today‘s interesting times, technology has made the world smaller than ever. It‘s possible to travel anywhere on the planet within 24 hours. This has been great for business and cultural exchange, but there is also a downside.

Modern travel has greatly increased the spread of diseases that were previously contained by distance. At the same time, modern medicine has virtually eliminated many diseases that once killed people by the millions. But viruses mutate rapidly, each new strain requires a new vaccine, and our shrinking planet is constantly bringing distant people into contact with each other, and with other species. Many recent disease outbreaks, including the current COVID-19 pandemic, have been traced to animal sources.