A study from the University of Surrey reveals that climate change is associated with a higher incidence of campylobacteriosis, a bacterial infection causing diarrhoea and stomach pains.
The research, published in PLOS Computational Biology, explores the impact of weather on the transmission of campylobacteriosis, one of the leading causes of human gastroenteritis worldwide.
Campylobacter infections, typically causing mild symptoms, can be fatal for vulnerable populations, including young children, the elderly, and immunosuppressed individuals. The study aimed to understand the relationship between weather patterns and the spread of the disease.
Giovanni Lo Iacono, co-author of the study, emphasized the historical consensus on the influence of weather on disease spread. The research analyzed data from one million campylobacteriosis cases over 20 years, using a mathematical model to correlate infection rates with weather conditions. The findings highlighted consistent infections at around eight degrees Celsius, with a notable increase for every five-degree rise between eight and 15 degrees Celsius. High infection incidents were also observed at humidity levels between 75 to 80 percent.
Understanding the weather-disease connection is crucial not only for public health but also for mitigating societal impacts, such as the economic burden and strain on healthcare systems caused by increased illness and absenteeism due to campylobacteriosis.
