“Mosquito” by mikadago. Pixabay License via Pixabay
Human impact on climate and environment is a topic of many discussions and research. While the social, economic, and environmental effects of climate change are important, climate change could also increase the spread of infectious diseases dramatically. Many infectious agents affect humans and animals. Shifts of their habitats or health as a result of climate change and pollution can lead to the spread of infectious diseases.
One of the first signs of climate change is non-typical behaviour of animal populations. Raising temperatures and humidity are favourable for the development of infectious agents. Ticks are transmitters of various infectious diseases which have a seasonal occurrence in temperate regions – from early spring to late fall. Mild winters and humid, warm summers lead to longer times for tick-borne diseases like Lyme disease to develop. Migratory birds are a major vehicle for the spread of infectious diseases. Some of the pathogens can be transmitted directly to humans. Disturbing their migration route thanks to climate change can spread diseases to new territories. Migratory birds can carry ticks, which if have time to develop into adult form, can spread other deadly diseases.
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