Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
mate, affects the timing and intensity of outbreaks (Epstein, 2001). There-
fore, the two early manifestations of climate change, particularly global
warming, would be expansion in the geographic range and seasonality of
disease, and the emergence of outbreaks occurring as a consequence of
extreme weather events (Epstein, 2001).
18.1.5 CLIMATIC INFLUENCES (E.G., TEMPERATURE,
HUMIDITY) ON THE PREVALENCE OF SOME DISEASES
• Increases in disease notifications, particularly salmonellosis
(D'Souza et al., 2004) and to a lesser extent campylobacteriosis
(Kovats et al., 2005) are frequently preceded by weeks of elevated
ambient temperature.
• Higher temperature and humidity in the week before infection has
been correlated with decreased hospitalization rates for children
diagnosed with rotavirus. This is particularly interesting because
survival of the virus is favored at lower temperature and humidity
(D'Souza et al., 2008). Rotavirus is considered a significant cause of
food borne illness (FAO, 2008a).
• El Nino-associated rises in cholera have been documented for both
Peru and Bangladesh, as have been increases in diarrheal disease in
Peruvians (reviewed by Hall et al., 2002).
• Cholera is perhaps the best model for understanding the potential
for climate-induced changes in the transmission of foodborne dis-
ease.
Vibrio cholerae
is the causative agent of this disease, which
produces substantial morbidity and mortality, particularly in the de-
veloping world.
Extreme weather conditions (e.g., flooding, drought, hurricanes, etc.)
can impact on the transmission of disease. For example, periods of exces-
sive precipitation and periods of drought influence both the availability
and quality of water and have been linked to the transmission of water
and food borne disease. Furthermore, extreme weather events can result in
forced evacuation of refugees into close quarters. This frequently results
in extreme stress, malnutrition, and limited access to medical care, all of
which contribute to increased susceptibility and severity of disease.
