Climate change has been found to be linked to the rise in rare and deadly infectious diseases in 2023. The warming temperatures and extreme weather conditions have led to an increase in illnesses caused by pathogens that thrive in certain temperatures. Studies have shown that the prevalence and spread of diseases such as brain-eating amoebas, flesh-eating bacteria, and mosquito-borne viruses are influenced by climate change.
In particular, Naegleria fowleri, a deadly brain-eating amoeba, has been found to thrive in water temperatures above 100 degrees Fahrenheit. As surface water temperatures increase due to climate change, the threat of this amoeba to human health is also expected to rise. Similarly, Vibrio vulnificus, a flesh-eating bacteria, has been expanding its geographic distribution along the U.S. coastline in response to rising sea temperatures.
The spread of diseases like dengue fever, valley fever, and tick-borne illnesses has also been attributed to climate change, as warm and moist conditions create hospitable environments for disease-carrying organisms. As a result, experts warn that the prevalence of rare infectious diseases is likely to continue increasing in the coming years.
To address this issue, health institutions can take proactive measures to limit the spread of these climate-driven pathogens. This includes incorporating climate-sensitive diseases into medical school curricula, conducting real-time monitoring of beaches for bacteria, and using rapid tests to detect pathogens in water samples. By taking proactive steps, health authorities can better anticipate and respond to local outbreaks of rare infectious diseases.
