Climate effects on parasitic and vector borne infections of humans and animals

Climate changes superimposed on the on-going globalisation of trade and increasing mobility of people, livestock and goods across national borders worldwide will undoubtedly increase the risk of spreading infectious diseases in human and animal populations.

 

Globally and locally parasitic and vector-borne infections are of key importance to health and productivity. One of the most important challenges will be the changes in the pattern of infections that will accompany altered climate patterns. It is furthermore anticipated that climate change will lead to intensified utilisation of land due to increasing food production needs and thus higher risk of disease transmission.

 

The main scientific objectives are:

 

1. To develop technical and practical solutions (e.g. multi-parasite species diagnostic tools, risk maps, GIS based disease surveillance and forecast) for the monitoring of the spread of parasite infections: this will be correlated with changing environmental and climatic conditions to generate models and predict future trends.
2. To gain a better knowledge of parasite ecology and population biology in order to understand field observations.
3. To increase knowledge on biodiversity and health interrelationships
4. To improve understanding of the relationship between health and climate sensitive environmental and social determinants of health.
5. To contribute to a more sustainable use of agricultural land and animal pharmaceutical resources.

The impact studies are expected to increase knowledge and understanding of the complex cause-effect relationship between climate factors, environmental change and animal and human health with particular focus on parasitic infections.

 

Contact: Senior Adviser Peter Furu (pfu@life.ku.dk)