Climate change fuels spread of deadly diseases, scientists warn

Climate change is accelerating the spread of deadly infectious diseases such as malaria and dengue fever beyond their traditional geographic boundaries, according to a new study.

The research from the University of California-Davis School of Medicine, published on Monday in the journal JAMA, rings alarm bells about the complex interplay between rising global temperatures and the changing epidemiology of viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites.

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It calls for greater preparedness by the medical community to deal with emerging health threats caused by climate change.

“Clinicians need to be ready to deal with the changes in the infectious disease landscape,” said study lead author George Thompson, a professor at the UC Davis School of Medicine, in a statement.

“Learning about the connection between climate change and disease behavior can help guide diagnoses, treatment and prevention of infectious diseases.”

Vector-borne diseases on the move

The study paid particular attention to vector-borne diseases like malaria, dengue fever and Lyme disease, which are transmitted by mosquitoes, ticks and other carriers.

Shifting climate patterns are expanding the habitats and active periods of these disease vectors, it found.

Lyme disease, traditionally confined to certain seasons and regions, is now occurring in new areas and times of the year thanks to shorter winters and longer summers.

“We’re seeing cases of tick-borne diseases in January and February,” said study first author Matthew Phillips, an infectious disease fellow at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School.

“The tick season is starting earlier and with more active ticks in a wider range. This means that the number of tick bites is going up and with it, the tick-borne diseases.”

Malaria, likewise, is shifting northwards in line with climate impacts on mosquito populations, the study noted.

Recent locally-acquired malaria cases in Texas, Florida and Maryland underscore the growing public health threat of climate change, the authors argue.

COVID-19 spotlights health vulnerabilities

Acknowledging the massive disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the researchers advocate enhanced infectious disease surveillance and proactive adaptation of medical training.

“It’s not a hopeless situation. There are distinct steps that we can take to prepare for and help deal with these changes,” Phillips said.

“Clinicians see first-hand the impact of climate change on people’s health. As such, they have a role in advocating for policies that can slow climate change,” he added.

The study, funded by the National Institutes of Health, emphasizes the need for ongoing engagement with policymakers to ensure infectious diseases remain a priority.

Calls for greater awareness

Thompson called for increased awareness, preparedness and action within the medical community to address the health threats caused by climate change.

The changes in infectious disease patterns highlight the need for clinicians to swiftly adapt to the evolving epidemiological landscape, the authors argue.

“Learning about the connection between climate change and disease behavior can help guide diagnoses, treatment and prevention of infectious diseases,” Thompson said.

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