Climate change has emerged as one of the most serious threats to global public health. Its effects are not limited to environmental disasters but extend to the increased spread of infectious diseases. Changes in temperature, humidity, and rainfall patterns have altered the geographical distribution of disease vectors like mosquitoes and ticks, allowing pathogens to spread into new, previously unaffected regions.
Notable examples include the spread of dengue fever and malaria to higher-altitude areas that were once too cold, and the rise in Lyme disease cases in temperate zones. Climate-related events such as floods and droughts also contribute to outbreaks of waterborne diseases like cholera and typhoid, due to the contamination of water sources.
Global warming also prolongs the breeding seasons of vector species, increasing the risk of viral transmission. Furthermore, it can disrupt agricultural systems, leading to malnutrition, which weakens immune defenses and heightens susceptibility to infections.
Given these challenges, it is crucial to integrate climate policy with public health strategies and strengthen early warning and surveillance systems to reduce the growing health impact of climate change.
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