Climate change could lead to outbreaks of diarrhea: experts warn the deadly food poisoning disease will spread faster as temperatures rise
- A study has warned that climate change could also cause diarrhea outbreaks
- Experts say campylobacter bacteria spread more quickly at high temperatures
From the strain on mental health to increased hunger, climate change has already been linked to several health risks.
Now a study has warned that climate change could also lead to more outbreaks of diarrhea.
Researchers from the University of Surrey say campylobacter – a bacteria that causes food poisoning – will spread more quickly as temperatures rise.
“We don’t fully understand why this is the case,” said Dr. Giovanni Lo Iacono, lead author of the study.
From the strain on mental health to increased hunger, climate change has already been linked to several health risks. Now a study has warned that climate change could also lead to more diarrhea outbreaks (stock image)
Campylobacter is one of the four leading global causes of diarrheal diseases worldwide, according to the World Health Organization.
It leads to an infection called campylobacteriosis, which can cause diarrhea and stomach pain.
Previous studies have shown that the main route of transmission is through food.
However, in their new study, the researchers wanted to investigate whether or not climate change will affect its spread.
The team analyzed data from around one million cases of campylobacteriosis in England and Wales over a period of twenty years.
They then compared this data with the weather during the same period.
Their analysis found that the incidence of the disease was consistent under temperatures of 46F (8C).
However, for every 9F (5C) increase in temperature, there was a sharp increase in infection.
The team also found a link with humidity and day length, with high infection levels when water vapor in the air was 75 to 80 percent.
Campylobacter (artist’s impression) is one of the four leading global causes of diarrheal diseases worldwide, according to the World Health Organization
Although the reason for this remains unclear, researchers have some leading theories.
“It could be that warm weather increases the survival and spread of pathogenic bacteria (so the weather causes the disease),” said Dr. Lo Iacono.
‘Or it could be due to people’s behavior and the way they interact with each other during such periods.’
The researchers hope the findings will help identify areas vulnerable to potential outbreaks and ensure they have the resources to treat people.
“We now have a detailed description of how weather affects the disease, and the next step is to understand why,” added Dr. Lo Iacono.
‘Importantly, through our transparent and conceptually simple approach, we can now estimate the risk of contracting the disease given the recent local weather.
‘This information is invaluable because diseases such as campylobacteriosis not only cause discomfort to individuals, but also have huge societal consequences, with people having to call in sick to work and putting additional pressure on healthcare systems around the world.’