Climate crisis fuels outbreaks of Vibrio bacteria – including cholera and other serious infections

Analysis of six decades of data shows that cholera bacteria and other strains are spreading rapidly due to warming ocean waters and poor sanitation – and the danger is expected to increase

The climate crisis is not only changing the face of the Earth – it is also serving as a fertile ground for the spread of dangerous bacteria. A new study published in the prestigious scientific journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences States that rising temperatures, heavy rainfall and poor sanitation infrastructure create perfect conditions for the outbreak of diseases originating from bacteria Vibrio Including Vibrio cholerae, the cause of cholera.

The team of researchers, led by Prof. Rita Colwell, one of the world's leading researchers in the field of marine microbiology, analyzed data collected since the 60s. Their findings highlight that non-cholera infections of the type Vibrio – for example, those transmitted through open wounds – have become more common since 1988, especially on the East Coast of the United States, and are moving north, including into northern Europe.

At the same time, countries in Africa and Southeast Asia are experiencing an increase in the intensity and frequency of cholera outbreaks, with the main causes being extreme weather events – floods on the one hand and droughts on the other.

The researchers say that combining ongoing environmental surveillance for pathogens with predictive risk models is essential for early identification of dangerous trends and appropriate preparedness. “The key is not only to identify the bacteria, but also to understand what environmental conditions encourage their proliferation, so that we can warn before an outbreak occurs,” explains Colwell.

The US Department of Commerce considers the education sector (where Vibrio infections are affecting the activities of educational institutions in coastal areas) to be one of the leading US export sectors – and the strengthening of these epidemics may also affect the regional and international economy.

The study calls for a combination of environmental monitoring, systemic preparation, and broader public understanding of the direct link between climate change and public health.

DOI10.1073 / pnas.2420423122

More of the topic in Hayadan:

• Deciphering pathogens / Catherine Harmon
• The hygiene patterns of the wealthy of Jerusalem during the days of the First Temple
• 23% of deaths in the world are caused by an unhealthy environment
• A model under development will predict the next cholera epidemics using satellites
• What does cholera teach us about the corona virus?