Medics Urged to Update Training to Combat Climate-Related IllnessesExperts Sound Alarm on Climate Change's Impact on Infectious Diseases. Credit: scitechdaily.com

A Group of Specialists in Contagious Diseases Call for Greater Awareness and Readiness to Combat Climate Change Effects

A plea has been issued by a group of specialists in contagious diseases to the medical community for increased awareness and preparedness in the face of climate change and its impact on the spread of illnesses. The article, published on March 20 in JAMA, raises concerns about the emergence and transmission of harmful pathogens. The authors are also urging medical professionals to update their education and training and take action against global warming.

Lead author George R. Thompson, a professor at UC Davis School of Medicine, stresses the importance of clinicians being prepared for changes in the landscape of infectious diseases. "Learning about the correlation between climate change and the behavior of diseases can guide the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of these ailments," he stated.

According to Thompson, physicians and practitioners must maintain a "high level of suspicion" when it comes to diseases on the move. He believes that with advancements in understanding of these diseases, there will be more thorough testing and fewer missed cases.

Infectious diseases can be caused by various agents, including viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites. Many of these illnesses can be transmitted from animals to humans or from human to human.

One type of contagious disease is known as vector-borne diseases, which are caused by pathogens carried by vectors such as mosquitoes, fleas, and ticks. Some examples of vector-borne diseases include dengue, malaria, and Zika.

Changing patterns of rainfall and temperature have expanded the range and activity periods of these vectors. Shorter, warmer winters and prolonged summers have also been linked to an increase in vector-borne diseases. For instance, tick-borne diseases such as babesiosis and Lyme disease are now being seen in the winter and are spreading to regions farther west and north than in the past.

"The tick season is starting earlier and with more active ticks in a wider range, resulting in an increase in tick bites and the diseases they carry," said study author Matthew Phillips, an infectious diseases fellow at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School.

Another concern is the spread of malaria. The mosquitoes that transmit this disease are moving northward due to changes in climate. Alterations in rainfall patterns have led to an increase in mosquito populations and a higher rate of disease transmission.

"One of the most alarming occurrences last summer was the locally acquired cases of malaria. We saw cases in Texas and Florida, as well as in Maryland, which was unexpected. These cases involved individuals who had not traveled outside of the U.S.," Phillips said.

The experts also noted changes in the incidence and location of zoonotic diseases, such as plague and hantavirus, which are transmitted by rodents. They observed changes in animal migration patterns and ranges, as wild animals are encroaching on human habitats. This poses a higher risk of animal diseases jumping to humans and the potential for new pathogens to emerge.

The study also highlighted the emergence of new fungal infections, such as Candida auris (C. auris), and changes in the location of certain fungal pathogens. For example, the fungal infection Coccidioides (also known as Valley fever) was once limited to hot, dry regions in California and Arizona but has recently been diagnosed as far north as Washington State.

Changes in rainfall patterns and coastal water temperatures can also impact the spread of waterborne diseases, such as E. coli and Vibrio. The team notes that sea levels are rising, and extreme weather events like storm surges and coastal flooding are becoming more frequent.

In recent years, infectious diseases such as COVID-19 have had a significant impact on the world. "They can arise and cause chaos for the entire world, and then we tend to forget about them. However, the epidemic and pandemic potential of these infections require us to stay engaged with federal funding agencies and advisory groups to ensure that infectious diseases do not fall too far off the public's radar," Thompson explained.

The team calls for stronger measures for infectious disease surveillance and urges medical educators to train clinicians to anticipate changes in disease patterns. "It is not a hopeless situation. There are concrete steps that we can take to prepare for and manage these changes. Clinicians witness firsthand the impact of climate change on people's health, and as such, they have a role in advocating for policies that can slow its effects," Phillips stated.

David Lamy
David Lamy Author
David Lamy owns the Bachelor in Atmospheric Science Degree. He is associated with Industry News USA from last 2 years. With proficiency in his work, David obtained a strong position at Industry News USA and heads the Science section. “Weather forecasting” is the field of his interest. He bags total 5 years of experience in this field. Apart from his routine work, David loves to explore his cooking skills. He has participated in various cookery shows.