- On the final day of COP29, an international team of over 100 scientists and policymakers released the 2024 edition of the Climate Change and Epidemics report at the WHO Pavilion.
- This comprehensive study highlights the growing intersection of climate change and infectious disease outbreaks, with 2024 marking a record year for new and amplified epidemics.
The report underscores the alarming acceleration of pathogen spread, driven by climate change. This year alone, the world witnessed the highest number of Dengue virus cases ever recorded, with over 13 million diagnosed cases globally. Additionally, 2024 saw an unprecedented spread of the West Nile virus, with 19 European countries reporting cases. In East Africa, alarming spikes in antimicrobial resistance related to Malaria have been observed, while a new pathogen, Oropouche, emerged in South America.
Professor Tulio de Oliveira, the report’s lead author and renowned global health researcher and director of the Centre for Epidemic Response and Innovation (CERI), warned: “We are heading into an era of epidemics, where the amplification cycle between global warming and pathogens is accelerating. In the coming years, it will become clear that without significant reductions in carbon emissions, we, along with future generations, will face more frequent and unusual diseases.”
The report identifies three primary factors through which climate change is exacerbating the spread of infectious diseases:
- Gradual Temperature Rise: The continuous increase in global temperatures is creating more hospitable environments for disease vectors, including mosquitoes, rodents, and ticks.
- Extreme Climate Events: More frequent and severe extreme weather events such as floods, hurricanes, and droughts are further driving the spread of disease.
- Climate Migration: Shifting patterns of temperature and rainfall are affecting food and water availability, which, in turn, forces population displacement, creating new vectors for disease transmission.
The report also highlights the devastating impact of extreme weather events. Heatwaves, droughts, floods, and cyclones not only result in direct fatalities but also facilitate outbreaks of bacterial diseases like Vibrio cholera. In 2023 and 2024, the world saw the largest cholera outbreaks in recent history, with 17 African nations and Haiti (which had been cholera-free for five years) grappling with large-scale outbreaks.
In response to these accelerating threats, the Climate Change and Epidemics 2024 report outlines actionable recommendations for governments, public health organizations, and the private sector. The key calls to action include:
- Timely and Transparent Outbreak Reporting: Governments and health organizations must prioritize prompt and open reporting of outbreaks to facilitate global preparedness and response efforts.
- Enhanced Genomic Surveillance: Increased investment in genomic surveillance systems is essential for tracking the evolution and spread of pathogens, enabling early intervention and prevention.
- Prioritizing Vulnerable Populations: Efforts must be focused on protecting the most vulnerable communities, with investments in healthcare infrastructure, disaster preparedness, and resilience against climate-induced health threats.
- Promoting Climate-Resilient Healthcare Systems: Collaboration between academic institutions, industries, and governments is needed to design healthcare infrastructure that can withstand extreme weather events and ensure continued access to essential medical supplies during crises.
- Sustainable Funding for Research and Preparedness: Governments, private companies, and health organizations must commit to sustained funding for research on climate-related diseases, strengthening health systems, and promoting global coordination in response to climate-driven health crises.
Prof Luiz Carlos Alcantara from Brazil’s FioCruz Foundation noted, “Brazilian scientists and government responded quickly to the Oropouche virus, enabling rapid diagnostics and containment. This is a model for how swift action can mitigate the impact of emerging diseases.”
However, concerns remain. Professor de Oliveira also emphasized the need for greater transparency in addressing disease outbreaks, citing the ongoing Influenza H5N1 outbreak in animals in the United States. “As this outbreak spreads through livestock and now swine, it raises the risk of a pandemic. The U.S. must provide full transparency, report cases, and conduct real-time genomic surveillance to facilitate the development of vaccines and therapeutics.”
The Climate Change and Epidemics 2024 report was officially launched at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, at the WHO Pavilion in the Blue Zone on November 21, 2024, with a presentation and interactive discussion with key report authors.
Link to the full report HERE
Author: Bryan Groenendaal
