Introduction

The changes in the ecosystem, coupled with the growing needs and concerns of the environment, are resulting in different outputs, especially on the environment. The disease ecology is a significant concern and being probed into by numerous scientists globally due to the increase in the number of new infections being experienced over the last century. COVID-19 is a new disease that began in December 2019 in Wuhan, China. Since then, there has been an outrageous spread and outbreak experienced in all parts of the world. As of May 2020, COVID-19 has spread to all countries globally hence the need to tackle its ecology. This essay aims to elucidate the COVID-19 ecology, its political, cultural, environmental, behavioral, and population influence.

Disease ecology

According to Vidal (2020), the destruction of the biodiversity and environment is what creates a fulfilling condition for infectious diseases such as the COVID-19 to bloom and emerge. With such information, it is possible to narrow down to the behavioral influences of human beings on the environment as one of the significant impacts on global health—the COVID-19 disease results from the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus type, whose origin is assumed to be from bats. The COVID-19 spreads from one individual to another through droplets of bodily fluids when an infected person sneezes or coughs, and the other person comes into contact with the droplets either from touched surfaces or by close contact with the other individual (Aljazeera, 2020). Some individuals have the COVID-19 from interactions with infected individuals since the droplets can stay suspended in the air and other surfaces for long periods of time. The underlying cause of the disease is said to be bats, according to scientists, and was transmitted to humans through another intermediary animal (Readfearn, 2020).

Behavioral factors

Some individuals have not been infected with the COVID-19 since they are not in contact with affected individuals or do not come from infected areas. Behavioral factors such as the movement of individuals from affected areas to other geographical regions have increased the spread of the virus. Individuals are advised by health practitioners that the only safety measures they can undertake to protect themselves include wearing personal protective equipment such as masks and gloves when in contact with other individuals. The use of sanitizers and washing of hands regularly is also advised as a measure that lowers the chances of getting the disease. Failure to adhere to such health regulations is a behavioral factor that has led to a tremendous increase in the spread of the coronavirus.

Risk factors

Any individual can get the COVID-19; however, the disease has differing impacts on various individuals, and according to most researchers, the immunity response of an individual is what differentiates the effects of the disease (Abela Mahimbo, 2020). According to research by the World Economic Forum (2020), at least 80% of infected individuals showcase mild or have no symptoms of the COVID-19, and these are mainly individuals from the young and healthy population. The asymptomatic individuals begin to show signs after some time, especially when they do not receive proper treatment and care.

For some individuals, risk factors such as old age, low immunity, and medical conditions increase their impact on the disease and may even lead to death. The risk factors increase the chances for an individual to be hospitalized and need intensive care as opposed to others; they also provide an individual with better information on how to be vigilant against getting the COVID-19. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) team is conducting thorough investigations to understand why specific individuals are more likely to get severe impacts of the disease as opposed to other individuals ((CDC), 2020).

Cultural factors

The rate of infection of the COVID-19 is most likely to increase to individuals who are in contact with infected persons. Individuals who do not have the proper PPEs when in infected regions also risk being highly exposed to the COVID-19. Cultural factors such as socialization of people in various gatherings either for religious purposes or communal events encourage mass gatherings, which increase the risk of infection in case one individual is infected. Individuals above the age of sixty years and those with dire medical conditions such as chronic respiratory diseases are more vulnerable and susceptible to get new infections and become severely by the COVID-19. Community consciousness, especially in topics such as physical distancing, increases the countermeasures undertaken to reduce the possibility of further infection rates amongst individuals. In areas where there is strict adherence to social distancing and proper sanitization, there have been reported fewer infection cases of the COVID-19.

The global health policy, which dictates that it is a right for each individual to have access to medical health coverage, enables any individual who portrays signs of the COVID-19 to receive treatment from healthcare providers. Individuals who have symptoms such as fever, coughing, fatigue, and shortness of breath are some of the most likely patients affected by the COVID-19 (Goodwin, 2020). Most countries have upgraded their national hospitals with the necessary equipment and health personnel to be able to offer advanced treatment to individuals.

Population factors

Population and demographic factors such as an increase in physical interactions in places with high people increase the spread of the COVID-19 in case one individual is infected. The virulence of the COVID-19 is highly susceptible in densely populated areas where health recommendations by the WHO, such as the washing of hands and wearing of PPEs is not adhered to. Factors such as immigration and emigration of individuals from highly infected countries to other regions have been one of the significant contributors to the spread of the disease. For instance, the condition began in Wuhan, China, but has spread to nearly all countries globally due to the movement of individuals from the affected geography to other places. Economic factors such as business imports and exports, employment of individuals may have necessitated the move of individuals hence contributing to the spread of the disease.

Environmental factors

The environment has been the most significant component in the spread of the COVID-19 since the virus-containing droplets are either suspended in air or other surfaces from which other individuals can get infected. Certain climatic conditions, mostly temperate and cold, also influence the longevity of the virus in the atmosphere hence increase the rate of infections amongst the citizens. High humidity and low temperatures are also deemed to control the virulence of the disease; however, this mainly occurs in areas with increased rates of infections. However, there has been reported less air and water pollution due to the closure of numerous industries in a bid to regulate the spread of the COVID-19. Coldest countries were the most affected in terms of dealing with the COVID-19 due to the common-cold diseases that erupt with the chilly season (Suresh, 2020).

Political factors

Political impact has been intensely felt in the fight against the COVID-19. There have been legal orders such as geographic lockdowns, curfews, and movement restrictions in various countries. The global health diplomacy has been evident in the disbursement of PPEs and medical equipment amongst multiple countries globally. This has, therefore, aided in strengthening national partnerships amongst countries. Epidemic management in areas experiencing high population density has been more difficult hence measures such as isolation and forced quarantine in dealing with the disease. Rapid restrictions of traveling to various countries are but some of the actions being undertaken by political leaders in a bid to contain the situation.

Visual diagram

Figure 1: Visual diagram of factors influencing the spread of COVID-19

The above visual chart highlights the various factors that cause the increase of the COVID-19, such as population, environmental, behavioral, and cultural influences. The political factors at the center of the diagram showcase the measures undertaken by legal and political authority towards curbing the spread of the virus.

Conclusion

There are numerous factors that have been identified to increase the spread of COVID-19, especially where social interaction is paramount. However, adherence to the WHO health regulations and proper healthcare, as well as government restriction orders such as lockdowns, is deemed to aid to curb the spread.

References

(CDC), C. f. (2020). Assessing risk factors. Retrieved from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/covid-data/investigations-discovery/assessing-risk-factors.html

Abela Mahimbo, D. I. (2020, 4 21). Why do some people with coronavirus get symptoms while others don’t? Retrieved from The Conversation: https://theconversation-com.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/theconversation.com/amp/why-do-some-with-coronavirus-get-symptoms-while-others-donot-135546?

Aljazeera. (2020, 3 15). How does coronavirus spread, and how can you protect yourself? Retrieved from Aljazeera: https://www-aljazeera-com.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/www.aljazeera.com/amp/news/2020/01/coronavirus-spread-protect-200130115539072.html?

Goodwin, M. (2020, 4, 23). Everything you should know about the 2019 coronavirus and COVID-19. Retrieved from Healthline: https://www.healthline.com/health/coronavirus-covid-19

Readfearn, G. (2020, 4, 27). How did coronavirus start and where did it come from? Was it really Wuhan’s animal market? Retrieved from The Guardian: https://amp-theguardian-com.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/amp.theguardian.com/world/2020/apr/28/how-did-coronavirus-start-where-did-it-come-from-how-did-it-spread-humans-was-it-really-bats-pangolins-wuhan-animal-market?

Suresh, L. P. (2020). Factors influencing the epidemiological characteristics of pandemic COVID-19: A TISM approach. International Journal of Healthcare Management.

Vidal, J. (2020, 3, 17). Destruction of habitat and loss of biodiversity are creating the perfect conditions for diseases like COVID-19 to emerge. Retrieved from ensia: https://ensia.com/features/covid-19-coronavirus-biodiversity-planetary-health-zoonoses/