2.5. Ecohealth and wildlife trade

Loss, fragmentation, and degradation of tropical forests are significant drivers of emerging infectious diseases [[31], [32], [33], [34], [35]]. Forest clearing and settlement exposes loggers, hunters, and settlers to novel zoonotic pathogens [4]. Wildlife sourced for the commercial trade can also introduce novel pathogens further afield [3,4,36]. The decline or loss of some species, especially top predators, degrades ecosystems and creates conditions that elevate risks of zoonotic events, albeit indirectly [4,37]. Therefore, the trade in wildlife species that play important roles in structuring ecosystems and maintains ecosystem diversity and health should also be prohibited and we have included these taxa such as Felidae and Canidae in the list of taxa to be assessed for market risk.