Today, Climate change is one of the most persistent and greatest challenges to the lives of people and Earth. Climate change besides its well-known damage to the earth also contributes to the emergence of transmittable infectious diseases that have recently originated or been discovered, newly introduced, or recently infected new areas or species. Climate change influences the transmission as well as distribution of infectious illness by changing the behavior of infectious agents, hosts, vectors, pathogens, and ecosystems. In this blog, we will discuss a few of the uncommon emerging infectious diseases that are influenced by climate change and global warming.
List of Rare Infectious diseases triggered by Climate change
Following are the diseases which are uncommon and are recently discovered with increasing emergence rate due to global warming and climate change.
Anthrax
Anthrax is a severe microbial infection that can affect people and animals. Bacillus anthracis a spore-forming bacterium is responsible for this. It can survive in extreme environments for extended periods. Anthrax spores are present in the dirt, and animal remains and can be respired, eaten, or enter into the body by skin contact. Anthrax results in serious signs such as skin blister, high temperature, chest pain, and septic shock. Severe infection and delayed treatment may result in death.
Anthrax is identified as an emerging transmittable disease because of its ability to be used as a bioterrorism agent. Similarly, after its eradication and control, re-emergence in the same region makes it a huge challenge. Re-emergence is assumed to be the result of climate change, which can thaw the permafrost and render anthrax spores from animal remains. As an example, in 2016 a heat wave in Siberia thawed the permafrost, which made a reindeer corpse exposed to the environment and released anthrax spores that had been hidden for 75 years in the earth. As a result, 72 people were infected and it claimed one life. 2,000 reindeer were also killed. Climate change, besides its thawing ice potential, can also be a reason for the risk of anthrax by facilitating desirable conditions such as greater temperature levels, increased rains, and fluctuation in the pH of soil for the growth, development, and dispersal of the germs.
Ebola
Animals like bats, apes, and antelopes host the virus in their blood and body fluids which causes Ebola. Upon contact with this virus, the patient encounters high temperature, migraine, diarrhea, vomiting, bleeding, and body organ failure which can be fatal in approximately 90% of cases. Since 1976, Ebola has been endemic to Central and West Africa where it has triggered numerous breakouts. In 2014-2016, the biggest outbreak infected more than 28,000 individuals and claimed the lives of more than 11,0005.
Climate change can affect the transmission and distribution of Ebola by influencing the ecology and behavior of the animal reservoirs and the human hosts. For example, higher temperatures and rainfall can alter the distribution and abundance of bats and other animals that carry the virus, and increase their contact with humans. Droughts and deforestation can also force people and animals to share the same resources and habitats, and increase the risk of exposure. Climate change can also affect the susceptibility and vulnerability of humans to Ebola, by affecting their health status, nutrition, mobility, and access to health care.
Valley Fever
Valley fever also called coccidioidomycosis is a fungal infection that disturbs the lungs and different body parts occasionally. Coccidioides, a soil-dwelling fungus is responsible for this disease. Different activities like construction, farming, wind patterns, or natural disasters make this fungus airborne. The symptoms of Valley fever are coughing, high temperature, fatigue, chest discomfort, and also rash. Severe conditions may lead to meningitis, pneumonia as well as dispersed infection. Valley fever affects 150,000 individuals annually and is native to the arid and also semi-arid areas of Mexico, the southwestern United States, and Central and South America.
Leishmaniasis
Leishmaniasis is a parasitic infection that is transmitted by sandflies which are bugs that reproduce in moist as well as cozy environments. Leishmaniasis can trigger skin sores, blisters, high temperature, weight loss, and also damage to different organs. Severe cases and delayed treatments may lead to death. Leishmaniasis infects 12 million people annually in areas of Asia, Africa, and also the Americas. Climate change can speed up the infection by providing favorable conditions for these insects.
Schistosomiasis
Schistosomiasis is an infection transmitted by a parasite called freshwater snails which are intermediate hosts for the blood flukes of the genus Schistosoma. Schistosomiasis can create stomach discomfort, anemia, diarrhea, liver and spleen enlargement, bladder and kidney problems, and may also raise the danger of cancer. Schistosomiasis claims 240 million people annually in subtropical areas of Africa, Asia, and South America. Climate change increases rains which provide the perfect habitat for snails. Similarly, increasing temperatures can increase the development and reproduction of the snails and the parasites, and shorten the incubation period of the infection.
Leptospirosis
Leptospirosis is a microbial infection that is transferred by rats as well as various other pets that host the bacterium Leptospira in their urine. Leptospirosis can create high temperatures, headaches, pains, jaundice, kidney and liver failure, and also blood loss. Climate change results in more frequent and severe infections of Leptospirosis.
Hantavirus
Hantavirus is a viral infection that is transmitted by the rodent family specially rats. They carry the infection in their saliva, pee, and feces. The symptoms of Hantavirus are high temperature, migraine, muscular pain, and breathing difficulty. The virus can be fatal in 40% of cases. Hantavirus can be found around the world infecting 150,000 people annually. Climate change boosts infection in the same way as all above above-discussed diseases.
Conclusion
Climate change and rising transmittable diseases are both related and equally enhancing dangers that pose challenges to human and animal health. Climate change can develop or worsen the problems that favor the emergence and spread of infectious diseases. Thus, it is important to take on an alternative and incorporated method that addresses and find solution of both the reasons as well as effects of climate change and emerging infections.
