5.8 Future Trends
129
5.8 Future Trends
5.8.1 Africa
Whereas changing climate will directly impact health, there will be an increase of
disease vectors including mosquitoes and the threat of transmission of zoonotic
diseases, which will adversely affect health. Africa will also face other emerging
disease challenges attributed to climate change happening outside the continent.
For instance, the thawing of permafrost in the northern hemisphere will free up the
trapped viruses that will spread through avian migration.
5.8.2 Asia
Climate change will impact the infectious disease burden despite sufficient hospital
infrastructure to address emerging infectious diseases. There is potential transmission risk in southern parts of Asia where dengue transmission has already been
reported. The Middle East will be among the most hit in terms of climate change
with summer temperatures expected to rise more than twice the world average
(Saha 2019). Droughts, prolonged heatwaves, and desertification will make parts of
Middle East uninhabitable. In areas where people could live, climate change could
spur violent competition over diminishing resources.
5.8.3 Australia
Warmer temperatures could result in a rise in the spread of diseases through food
and water like gastroenteritis. Australia will remain malaria-free during the next few
decades (La Canna 2019). Despite this, other vector-borne diseases like Ross River
Virus, dengue fever, and Barmah Forest Virus may expand their range, basing on the
lifestyle and socioeconomic factors that are related to travel frequency, destinations,
and hygiene.
5.8.4 Europe
Climate change and health experts are warning of the growing threat to public
health in Europe from global warming as rising temperatures help potentially lethal
diseases spread quickly across the continent. There could be a further rise in West
Nile Virus cases (a viral infection spread by mosquitos). Global warming could
exacerbate the vulnerability to tick-borne diseases that can transmit diseases such as
Zika and dengue.
129
5.8 Future Trends
5.8.1 Africa
Whereas changing climate will directly impact health, there will be an increase of
disease vectors including mosquitoes and the threat of transmission of zoonotic
diseases, which will adversely affect health. Africa will also face other emerging
disease challenges attributed to climate change happening outside the continent.
For instance, the thawing of permafrost in the northern hemisphere will free up the
trapped viruses that will spread through avian migration.
5.8.2 Asia
Climate change will impact the infectious disease burden despite sufficient hospital
infrastructure to address emerging infectious diseases. There is potential transmission risk in southern parts of Asia where dengue transmission has already been
reported. The Middle East will be among the most hit in terms of climate change
with summer temperatures expected to rise more than twice the world average
(Saha 2019). Droughts, prolonged heatwaves, and desertification will make parts of
Middle East uninhabitable. In areas where people could live, climate change could
spur violent competition over diminishing resources.
5.8.3 Australia
Warmer temperatures could result in a rise in the spread of diseases through food
and water like gastroenteritis. Australia will remain malaria-free during the next few
decades (La Canna 2019). Despite this, other vector-borne diseases like Ross River
Virus, dengue fever, and Barmah Forest Virus may expand their range, basing on the
lifestyle and socioeconomic factors that are related to travel frequency, destinations,
and hygiene.
5.8.4 Europe
Climate change and health experts are warning of the growing threat to public
health in Europe from global warming as rising temperatures help potentially lethal
diseases spread quickly across the continent. There could be a further rise in West
Nile Virus cases (a viral infection spread by mosquitos). Global warming could
exacerbate the vulnerability to tick-borne diseases that can transmit diseases such as
Zika and dengue.