Changing Climate Conditions, Humidity Can Cause Transmissions of Parasitic Worms, Infectious Diseases

A recent report discovered that changing humidity can help spread the following: infectious diseases and transmissions of parasitic worms.

Understanding the transmission of infectious diseases is crucial to prevent the widespread impacts on ecosystems and animals. Parasitic worms can bring devastating damage to the following:

• Wildlife
• Animal's health
• Crops

According to a report from Pennsylvania State University, researchers raised concerns about the changing humidity, which could become a factor in to spread of diseases. The study highlighted that it could impact wildlife and livestock.

The study can help communities develop effective livestock management and health plans to mitigate the spread of parasitic worms and harmful diseases. The report findings were published in Ecology Letters.

Role of Changing Humidity in Transmitting Parasitic Worms and Infectious Diseases

Researchers explained that temperatures and humidity can allow the spread of parasitic worms, particularly that environmental changes can lead to seasonal or sudden spread of infectious diseases exacerbated by climate change.

"We need to understand how climate change can affect the future of these infections. Are they going to get worse? Are they going to shift into different habitats and create new hotspots? Will they mutate and develop into more pathogenic infections?" Isabella Cattadori, professor of biology at Penn State and senior author of the study, said, as quoted in the report.

In addition, the report highlighted that parasitic worms could bring significant damage to animals and humans due to possible infection. Understanding the infections can provide new insights into improved protection efforts amidst the problems of climate change.

"There isn't much attention on helminth infections because they're not as threatening as vector-borne diseases, and people tend to underestimate the importance of worm infections," Cattadori said, as quoted in the report.

The researchers also noted the role of spatial distribution in terms of the infection risks, including in areas with milder to extreme conditions. The location and present climatic conditions can affect the emergence of helminths and other parasitic worms.

Helminths can likely impact Scandinavian countries with a low risk in Northern Europe. The researchers emphasized the adaptive strategies to protect livestock and health from exposure to parasitic worms and infectious diseases.

Also Read: Satellite Observations Help in Atmospheric River Monitoring For Better Prediction

Climate Change Impact on Global Extreme Weather

Global extreme weather is influenced by climate change, bringing extreme drought, rainfall, heat waves and hurricanes. Rapid changes in weather events can lead to a significant impact on communities and wildlife.

Frequent extreme weather events can make communities vulnerable to significant damage to crops. Poorer communities are at risk of climate change-driven weather.

Related Article: Amazon Forest Can Suffer From Ecosystem Collapse Due to Warming, Climate Change [Study]

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