Extreme weather events and infectious disease outbreaks

Abstract

Human-driven climatic changes will fundamentally influence patterns of human health, including infectious disease clusters and epidemics following extreme weather events. Extreme weather events are projected to increase further with the advance of human-driven climate change. Both recent and historical experiences indicate that infectious disease outbreaks very often follow extreme weather events, as microbes, vectors and reservoir animal hosts exploit the disrupted social and environmental conditions of extreme weather events. This review article examines infectious disease risks associated with extreme weather events; it draws on recent experiences including Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and the 2010 Pakistan mega-floods, and historical examples from previous centuries of epidemics and ‘pestilence’ associated with extreme weather disasters and climatic changes. A fuller understanding of climatic change, the precursors and triggers of extreme weather events and health consequences is needed in order to anticipate and respond to the infectious disease risks associated with human-driven climate change. Post-event risks to human health can be constrained, nonetheless, by reducing background rates of persistent infection, preparatory action such as coordinated disease surveillance and vaccination coverage, and strengthened disaster response. In the face of changing climate and weather conditions, it is critically important to think in ecological terms about the determinants of health, disease and death in human populations.

Causas y consecuencias del cambio climático en la producción pecuaria y salud animal. Revisión

“…Los brotes de ántrax se han asociado con la alternancia de lluvias fuertes, sequías y altas temperaturas (39,70) . La leptospirosis y criptosporidiosis son enfermedades con potencial epidémico después de lluvias fuertes (71) . Finalmente, la prevalencia de enfermedades de distribución mundial como la haemoncosis y fasciolasis pueden verse aumentadas; las larvas de Haemonchus contortus pueden sobrevivir por meses en la tierra en condiciones apropiadas de temperatura y humedad.…”

The Epidemiological Overview of Acute Flaccid Paralysis Cases in Surabaya During 2014-2017

“…Weather factors create a variety of environmental and social conditions, which led to the emerging of many infectious diseases in humans and animals. Climate and weather conditions also play a role in causing outbreaks of contagious diseases in several regions (McMichael, 2015). Weather and climate components such as air temperature, humidity level, and rainfall as well as wind speed and direction can affect the survival of viruses and pathogens.…”

Our changing world: Impacts on health and infectious diseases

“…A review on extreme weather events and infectious diseases outbreaks follows, expertly authored by late Anthony McMichael, 15 internationally recognized for his pioneering work in environmental health, particularly in climate change and health. Extreme events have been witnessed historically as a result of natural climate variability.…”