zoonotic diseases
Zoonoses are pathogens that have natural reservoirs in nonhuman species and periodically or occasionally infect human individuals. Some of these can develop into persistent human outbreaks. Understanding the origin of human pathogens involves identifying ancient zoonotic transmission.
Probing the pathogens that afflicted ancient humanity
In the first part of a review of pathogens in human origins, I examine a sampling of infectious diseases in people today and their diverse origins.
Did Homo erectus get herpes from chimpanzees?
New research suggests that herpes simplex virus 2 may have invaded ancient humans from chimpanzees sometime after 1.6 million years ago.
