As temperatures rise, infectious disease threats migrate northward
An avid athlete in soccer, snowboarding, and mountain biking, Wood found himself having to scale back on physical activities and academics. Over time, his condition worsened, leaving him unable to work or participate in society. It took several years before he received a diagnosis: Lyme disease, a rare tick-borne illness that, at the time, accounted for only a few hundred cases annually in Canada.
However, the landscape of Lyme disease has drastically changed over the years, with cases increasing by over 1,000 percent in the past decade alone. This surge in cases is attributed to the warming climate, which has pushed the boundaries of various pathogens and risk factors farther north.
Exotic mosquito species capable of transmitting diseases like dengue and yellow fever have established populations in parts of Ontario, raising concerns among researchers. Additionally, climate change is expected to heighten the risks of microbial diseases associated with food contamination and warmer weather.
Despite the challenges posed by Lyme disease, Wood’s experience led him to establish Geneticks, a private laboratory dedicated to testing ticks for diseases. Through his work, he encounters many individuals severely debilitated by Lyme disease, highlighting the severity and diversity of its symptoms.
The expansion of disease-carrying ticks’ ranges is a significant concern, with populations increasing, becoming more active, and living longer. Surveillance data reflects this trend, showing a substantial rise in reported Lyme disease cases in Canada, primarily due to changes in climate that have expanded the geographic range of black-legged tick populations.
Warming temperatures are also facilitating the presence of other tick-borne pathogens, such as Babesia odocoilei and Babesia microti, which cause babesiosis, a disease with flu-like symptoms. As temperatures rise, ticks find more suitable habitats, leading to concerns about the increased risk of tick-borne diseases.
In addition to Lyme disease and tick-borne illnesses, climate change is also exacerbating the threat of food-borne diseases. Rising temperatures are associated with an increased risk of E. coli, salmonella, and vibrio infections, affecting the entire food chain and public health.
As climate change continues to reshape environmental conditions, the prevalence of infectious diseases like Lyme disease and food-borne illnesses will likely persist and even increase. Awareness and preventive measures are crucial in mitigating these risks, yet complacency remains a challenge, underscoring the importance of continued education and advocacy efforts.
