Climate Change and the Risk of Future Pandemics

Climate Change and Human Health in the Arctic: A Review

“…As Arctic temperatures rise, there is a risk of the release of pathogenic microorganisms trapped within the frozen strata of permafrost and glaciers. The melting of permafrost in cattle burial sites could lead to the reemergence of anthrax, posing a significant threat to northern areas [39]. Over 200 burial grounds in Siberia contain anthrax-infected cattle, and thawing permafrost risks releasing pathogenic microorganisms trapped in the ice, potentially causing outbreaks [86].…”

“…Moreover, biting insects, including mosquitoes, blackflies, and warble/botflies, have long exhibited a significant presence in the Arctic, and their response to climate change is notable [61,111]. Changes in their populations can impact humans and wildlife alike, influencing disease transmission and disrupting culturally and economically significant activities [39,111].…”

“…As a whole, mitigating the threat of infectious disease outbreaks stemming from climate change necessitates a comprehensive approach; recommendations include bolstering public health systems, integrating disease surveillance with climate monitoring efforts; conducting research on the detection, prevention, control, and treatment of temperaturesensitive infectious diseases; cultural education based on traditional knowledge; and strategic planning [39,60,61]. Enhancing diagnostic detection and raising clinical awareness of these emerging pathogens is essential for addressing the emergence of infectious disease in high-latitude regions [52].…”

“…Over half of known human pathogenic diseases can be aggravated by climate change [38]. The Arctic's rising temperatures may lead to the liberation of pathogenic microorganisms trapped for ages within frozen layers, as permafrost and glaciers thaw [32,39]. Global pollution and communicable diseases are shown to pose threats to Indigenous peoples living in the Arctic and sub-Arctic regions.…”

Can Marburg Virus Be the Next Global Pandemic

“…The COVID-19 pandemic has wreaked extensive havoc throughout the world, with millions of illnesses and fatalities documented since the pandemic began. 1 While the world grapples with this protracted crisis, there are rising fears that another deadly virus, the Marburg virus, may emerge as a worldwide menace. Marburg virus disease (MVD) is a severe and rare hemorrhagic fever caused by the Marburg virus, a highly contagious zoonotic RNA virus of the filovirus family.…”