Climate change influences infectious disease in the Arctic and the tropics
Climate change is incontestably a phenomenon of global causes and impacts. However, as the contribution of different regions and countries to climate change differs, so do the impacts. This paper examines the current and potential impact of climate change on infectious diseases in regions that could not be more different: the Arctic and the tropics. Despite obvious differences in environmental and socio-economic contexts, there are commonalities between these areas, both in the mechanisms through which climate change influences disease transmission and in the adaptation responses health systems can and should mount. The authors consider five main common characteristics and requirements, respectively, regarding climate-sensitive infectious diseases:
- Exposure to new patterns of climate-sensitive infectious diseases.
- Disease surveillance and early warning systems.
- Health system preparedness.
- Enhanced global efforts towards developing drugs and vaccines.
- Common challenges for research.
Related:
- Tick-borne Encephalitis Virus – an emerging zoonosis
- Midges and the emergence of bluetongue virus in northern Europe
- Extreme Weather Events And Epidemics
Tags: Bacteria, Biology, climate, Emerging disease, Environment, Health, Medicine, Microbiology, Science, Virology, virus
