“The single biggest threat to man’s continued dominance on the planet is the virus”. Joshua Lederberg, Ph.D., Nobel laureate, Film introduction: Outbreak (1995). What is Virus? The human race was at its knees. You know how the Covid-19 virus pandemic impacted millions of lives worldwide. Viruses are the smallest and simplest infectious agents that can replicate only inside the living cells of an organism. As viruses lack their own structure, they are unable to replicate on their own and must infect a host cell to reproduce. When a virus infects a host cell, it inserts its genetic material in the host cell’s genes in order to create copies of itself. As the virus multiplies, the infected host cell bursts to release new viruses into the surrounding environment. These new viruses can then go on to infect other cells and even infect other organisms, leading to the spread of the virus and infection. Viruses can infect all life forms, from humans, animals, and plants to micro-organisms including bacteria and fungi. Most viral infections if occur in healthy individuals are usually asymptomatic or with mild symptoms. Why do viruses mutate so frequently? Like all other living forms, viruses also go through mutations throughout their lifespan. However, their genetic structure especially of RNA viruses lacks proofreading skills, which makes them undergo random “copying errors” (i.e., genetic mutations) during replication. This also makes them prone to high mutation rates. That’s why most pandemic infections are usually viral in origin. The more it circulates, the more it can change. However, the more virulent virus may be less transmissible, because it reduces the chances of transmission by killing the host. Viruses usually mutate in immunocompromised individuals. If viruses don’t get host cells, their population in the environment may decrease or remain stable. Viruses may swap genetic material with the host to make a new “mixed” virus with unique properties. This may lead to horizontal gene transfer from a host to a virus or from a virus to a host, which plays an important role in the mutation and evolution of all organisms. All living forms including humans, plants, and animals are evolved from/by micro-organisms; however, micro-organisms are evolved to keep control of macroorganisms. Why viruses are more dangerous? Viruses are more unstable like an ion because they lack their own structure to reproduce. They must need a host to grow and replicate. Viruses enter the host cell by camouflaging and tricking it. They first incorporate their genome with the host genome and then multiply by “commandeering” and “hijacking” the host cell to produce more viruses. The infected cell doesn’t know that the commandeering is by the virus, and thus unknowingly becomes a virus factory. New viruses then burst out of a host cell and enter into new cells to repeat the process. This makes a host helpless, functionless, and even defenseless. You felt sick because your body is

1. What Causes A Virus Pandemic
and How to Prevent Future Ones?
Contents hide
1 What is Virus?
2 Why do viruses mutate so frequently?
3 Why viruses are more dangerous?

2. 4 What causes pandemics and how to prevent future ones?
5 Conclusion
6 FAQ
6.1 Oues. 1. What is virus?
6.2 Ques. 2. Can viruses infect all living things?
6.3 Ques. 3. Why viruses infect living organisms?
6.4 Ques. 4. Why do viruses cause most pandemics?
“The single biggest threat to man’s continued dominance on the planet is
the virus”. Joshua Lederberg, Ph.D., Nobel laureate, Film introduction:
Outbreak (1995).
What is Virus?
The human race was at its knees. You know how the Covid-19 virus pandemic
impacted millions of lives worldwide. Viruses are the smallest and simplest
infectious agents that can replicate only inside the living cells of an organism. As
viruses lack their own structure, they are unable to replicate on their own and
must infect a host cell to reproduce. When a virus infects a host cell, it inserts its

3. genetic material in the host cell’s genes in order to create copies of itself. As the
virus multiplies, the infected host cell bursts to release new viruses into the
surrounding environment. These new viruses can then go on to infect other cells
and even infect other organisms, leading to the spread of the virus and infection.
Viruses can infect all life forms, from humans, animals, and plants to
micro-organisms including bacteria and fungi. Most viral infections if occur in
healthy individuals are usually asymptomatic or with mild symptoms.
Why do viruses mutate so frequently?
Like all other living forms, viruses also go through mutations throughout their
lifespan. However, their genetic structure, especially of RNA viruses, lacks
proofreading skills, which makes them undergo random “copying errors” (i.e.,
genetic mutations) during replication. This also makes them prone to high
mutation rates. That’s why most pandemic infections are usually viral in origin.
The more it circulates, the more it can change. However, the more virulent virus
may be less transmissible, because it reduces the chances of transmission by
killing the host. Viruses usually mutate in immunocompromised individuals. If
viruses don’t get host cells, their population in the environment may decrease or
remain stable.
Viruses may swap genetic material with the host to make a new “mixed” virus
with unique properties. This may lead to horizontal gene transfer from a host to a
virus or from a virus to a host, which plays an important role in the mutation and
evolution of all organisms. All living forms including humans, plants, and animals
are evolved from/by microorganisms; however, micro-organisms are evolved to
keep control of microorganisms.
Why are viruses more dangerous?
Viruses are more unstable like an ion because they lack their own structure to
reproduce. They must need a host to grow and replicate. Viruses enter the host
cell by camouflaging and tricking it. They first incorporate their genome with the
host genome and then multiply by “commandeering” and “hijacking” the host cell

4. to produce more viruses. The infected cell doesn’t know that the commandeering
is by the virus, and thus unknowingly becomes a virus factory. New viruses then
burst out of a host cell and enter into new cells to repeat the process. This makes
a host helpless, functionless, and even defenseless. You felt sick because your
body is fighting the virus.
However, there are some helpful viruses and bacteria that live inside you, called
mutualists. These microbes help guard your body against more dangerous
infections. Some viruses help plants survive cold or drought better. The good
bacteria in your gut help you to digest your food and make vitamins that you
can’t make yourself. Some bacteria turn milk into yogurt or cheese for us to eat.
Microbes in the soil and ocean cycle nutrients in the environment.
Viruses can cause acute (short-lived) or chronic infections, which can last for
weeks, months, or a lifetime. The type of infection depends on viral virulence,
viral load (quantity), and the host’s immune system. Some viruses remain
dormant (latent) in the host which is impossible for our defense system to
eradicate. The dormant viruses may not cause symptoms at first but can
reactivate periodically whenever the host’s defense weakens. Viruses are also
capable of causing many cancers in humans.
What causes pandemics and how to
prevent future ones?
Most of the infectious diseases that affect humans start in animals, including
wildlife and domestic animals like pigs and chickens. Humans, animals, plants,
and the environment continuously exchange microbes, which is a natural process
of life. However, whenever humans exploit nature and disturb the balance of the
ecosystem, there is wider and uncontrolled germ exchange which can give rise
to mutations and pandemic infections. Deforestation and more land acquisition
for agricultural purposes push wildlife out of their homes. Uncontrolled and
unnatural animal farming to meet growing demands brings humans and animals
into close contact causing more germ transfer from animals to humans. Tricking
nature can give rise to dangerous species.

5. Conclusion
We all are evolved by microorganisms and radiation. Microorganisms depend
on macro-organisms. But, micro controls macro. Microorganisms control
humans, animals, and plants and maintain a balanced ecosystem. Humans,
animals, plants, and the environment continuously exchange microbes, which is
a natural process of life. Actually, microbes are the building blocks of our immune
system. However, whenever humans exploit nature and disturb the balance of
the ecosystem, which may result in pandemic infections. Furthermore, our
lifestyle, refined food, and overuse of chemicals, medicines, and antibiotics
give birth to a weak host and a powerful viral strain; a perfect situation for
pandemic infection. Whatever you do will come back to you. It’s a vicious cycle
e.g., chemicals/antibiotics → drain/excretion → water → environment →
mutations → germs/plants/animals/fish → food → us, and so on. We have to take
care not just of our health but the health of our planet too. We are not safe until
our planet is safe.
FAQ
Oues. 1. What is a virus?
Viruses are sub-microscopic infectious agents that can replicate only inside the
living cells of an organism.
Ques. 2. Can viruses infect all living things?
Viruses can infect all life forms, from humans, animals, and plants to
micro-organisms including bacteria and fungi.
Ques. 3. Why do viruses infect living organisms?

6. As viruses lack their own structure, they are unable to replicate on their own.
Viruses replicate only inside the living cells of an organism. It is the only way they
can survive and reproduce.
Ques. 4. Why do viruses cause most pandemics?
The genetic structure of viruses lacks proofreading ability, which makes them
undergo random “copying errors” (i.e., genetic mutations) during replication. This
also makes them prone to a high mutation rate, which ultimately gave birth to a
highly contagious and dominant viral strain.