The Effects of Climate Change on the Spread of Infectious Diseases

There are four ways climate affects infectious disease

Rising sea levels

Humidity

Changes in rainfall amounts

Temperature changes

Many diseases are spread to humans by tiny insects

Mosquitoes are responsible for many infections in tropical areas

Ticks spread diseases in drier areas, usually more up north

Mosquitoes and the spread of malaria

More than 3,000 children die from malaria each dayClimate change has an affect on this disease because mosquitoes are unable to thrive in extremely high temperaturesThey tend to live longer in areas where temperatures do not vary greatly

Ticks and the spread of Lyme disease

Lyme disease hits closer to home because it is common in the U.S.

It is a life-threatening disease that can be treated with antibiotics if caught in time

Climate affects this because ticks tend to live longer in hot, humid areas

Natural disasters and their affect on disease spreading

Severe flooding can lead to contamination of water

Severe drought can also make clean drinking water hard to come by

Cholera is a deadly disease that is spread through water

Diseases common in America that occur during certain climate changes

Influenza is a common infection that is currently prevalent due to the weather change

Meningitis, a more serious illness tends to thrive in a dry climate

Alarming facts

Scientists are finding it increasingly possible that deadly diseases such as malaria could make it’s way up north due to the harmful affects of global warmingThe reason for this is because the disease thrives in warmer weather, which is become more common in the north due to global warming

What we can do

Educate ourselves on the harmful effects global warming has on all of our lives

Find out what we can do to preserve energy and keep the earth as healthy as possible