Gert van der Hoek
In Memoriam - Editor, Senior Moderator
Climate already helping disease spread north -study
10 Jun 2010
Source: Reuters
* Climate change already appears to affect disease - report
* Link seen to dengue, malaria, yellow fever in Europe
* European Commission and scientists urge more research
By Andrea Swalec
BRUSSELS, June 10 (Reuters) - Rising global temperatures might already be helping infectious diseases to creep north, according to a report by European scientists.
The report links warmer temperatures to the spread of dengue fever, yellow fever, malaria and even human plague in Europe.
"Fundamental influences of climate change on infectious disease can already be discerned and it is likely that new vectors and pathogens will emerge and become established in Europe within the next few years", says the report by the European Academies Science Advisory Council (EASAC).
The independent group is formed of 26 national science academies from across the European Union.
United Nations climate experts recommend cutting carbon emissions to prevent the rise of global temperatures beyond 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.
But the prospects of success look poor, with international climate negotiations making slow progress.
When temperatures rise, the insects that spread disease mature faster and produce more offspring, the report says.
Though the report is cautious about making a causal link between global warming and the spread of disease, EASAC's chairman said the risk was undeniable and called for more research.
"To me, it doesn't make a difference how we call it, but that we have had a higher temperature over the last 20, 30 years, which is documented," said Dr Volker ter Meulen, EASAC chairman.
"These higher temperatures provide for the vectors and the viruses to grow faster and produce more," he added. "More vectors, more virus, and this will cause more disease."
Read more: http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/LDE65918G.htm
Summary EASAC report
Full report
Edit:
ECDC report "Climate change and communicable diseases in EU Member States"
10 Jun 2010
Source: Reuters
* Climate change already appears to affect disease - report
* Link seen to dengue, malaria, yellow fever in Europe
* European Commission and scientists urge more research
By Andrea Swalec
BRUSSELS, June 10 (Reuters) - Rising global temperatures might already be helping infectious diseases to creep north, according to a report by European scientists.
The report links warmer temperatures to the spread of dengue fever, yellow fever, malaria and even human plague in Europe.
"Fundamental influences of climate change on infectious disease can already be discerned and it is likely that new vectors and pathogens will emerge and become established in Europe within the next few years", says the report by the European Academies Science Advisory Council (EASAC).
The independent group is formed of 26 national science academies from across the European Union.
United Nations climate experts recommend cutting carbon emissions to prevent the rise of global temperatures beyond 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.
But the prospects of success look poor, with international climate negotiations making slow progress.
When temperatures rise, the insects that spread disease mature faster and produce more offspring, the report says.
Though the report is cautious about making a causal link between global warming and the spread of disease, EASAC's chairman said the risk was undeniable and called for more research.
"To me, it doesn't make a difference how we call it, but that we have had a higher temperature over the last 20, 30 years, which is documented," said Dr Volker ter Meulen, EASAC chairman.
"These higher temperatures provide for the vectors and the viruses to grow faster and produce more," he added. "More vectors, more virus, and this will cause more disease."
Read more: http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/LDE65918G.htm
Summary EASAC report
Full report
Edit:
ECDC report "Climate change and communicable diseases in EU Member States"