Two thirds of the most dangerous diseases for public health are thought to be sensitive to global warming.
The impact of global warming on the emergence and spread of infectious diseases could be greater than expected. Researchers at the University of Liverpool (UK) assessed how bacteria, viruses, other microorganisms and parasites responsible for human and animal diseases in Europe could be affected.
And the results are not encouraging. “While the link between climate change and infectious diseases is well established, we were until now unaware of the magnitude of the effects, and which diseases could be most affected,” said Dr Marie. McIntyre, epidemiologist at the University of Liverpool, and lead author of the study, published in the journal Scientific Reports.
Zika and Lyme, first signs
To assess their sensitivity to global warming, British researchers conducted a literature review of scientific publications on the 100 human and animal pathogens that have the greatest impact on health.
They noticed that nearly two-thirds of these pathogens are sensitive to temperature and climate, and that nearly half of them are impacted.
Diseases transmitted by insects and ticks are the most sensitive to the climate. This has recently been seen in Brazil, with the Zika epidemic carried by mosquitoes, but also in France and Europe, with the increase in cases of Lyme disease, transmitted by ticks.
Concern about cholera
Other pathogens are favored by warming. Diseases such as cholera, liver fluke or anthrax would find in Europe a much more favorable environment for their development.
In animals, infections such as blue tongue disease could be favored. The Schmallenberg virus, which affects cattle, has, for example, already benefited from the beginnings of global warming. It made its appearance in Europe in 2011.
These results will help the public authorities to prioritize the surveillance of pathogens, and thus to anticipate in order to strengthen protection against the development of infectious diseases.
.
