Climate change and emerging infections: Risks, adaptation and response

Abstract

Background: Weather and changing climate are key drivers of the emergence, re-emergence and spread of infectious diseases globally. However, approaches to emerging infections and climate strategies are still largely being developed separately missing the opportunities for integrated climate adaptation actions to address infectious diseases. Description: To inform the development of the UK national emerging infectious diseases plan, a literature review of the current and projected risks from extreme weather events and climate change on emerging infections in the UK is currently underway. This will support further work examining and co-designing adaptation options in the context of preparedness and response to emerging infections. Results: Key preliminary findings from the literature review have indicated risks predominantly from evolving patterns of vector borne diseases as climatic conditions and habitat suitability of pathogens change. Changing temperatures and hotter summer temperatures have been associated with changing food-borne infection patterns. Further risks driven by extreme weather, including flooding and droughts, could perpetuate changes in water-borne infection patterns. Adaptation actions focussed on these infectious disease groups are currently under review and will cover risk assessment, data and surveillance, preparedness and response. Lessons: This work integrates climate action with action on emerging infectious diseases. By examining the evidence on climate sensitive infections and co-designing solutions across teams, awareness is being raised and relationships and infrastructures built to better prepare and respond to both fundamental global public health challenges.