Climate change refers to significant, long-term changes in temperature, precipitation, and weather patterns. These environmental shifts influence the patterns of infectious diseases by altering the habitats and behaviors of pathogens, vectors (like mosquitoes), and animal reservoirs. The changing climate can increase the spread of infectious diseases, such as malaria, dengue, Zika virus, and cholera, particularly in regions that were previously less affected.
The relationship between climate change and infectious diseases is complex, yet increasingly evident. Changes in temperature, humidity, and extreme weather events such as floods, droughts, and storms directly affect the transmission dynamics of infectious diseases. Rising temperatures enable vectors like mosquitoes and ticks to expand into new geographic areas, while altered rainfall patterns can lead to increased waterborne diseases due to flooding and inadequate sanitation.
This session will focus on understanding how climate variability exacerbates the spread of infectious diseases and will explore both the direct and indirect effects of climate change on global health.
Key topics include:
- Environmental determinants of infectious disease transmission
- Impact of rising global temperatures on vector-borne diseases (e.g., malaria, dengue)
- Waterborne diseases linked to floods, droughts, and rising sea levels (e.g., cholera, leptospirosis)
- Climate-induced changes in the distribution of zoonotic diseases
- The effect of climate change on the immune system and host-pathogen interactions
- Interactions between climate policy, public health, and disease control efforts
- Mitigation and adaptation strategies for public health: early warning systems, disease forecasting
- Collaboration across health, environmental, and governmental sectors to address climate-related health threats
This session is essential for public health professionals, epidemiologists, climate scientists, infectious disease researchers, and policy-makers involved in climate-health research and the development of adaptive healthcare strategies.