Global warming widening reach of tickborne diseases across Europe
Climate change is causing the geographical expansion of disease-carrying ticks and tiger mosquitoes, leading to outbreaks of rarely seen diseases in some European countries including the UK, according to a report written by the University of the West of England (UWE Bristol). The report, which looks at the global spread of zoonotic diseases and the link to climate change, was recently published by the Department of the Environment in the EU.
Written by the Science for Environment Policy team at the University’s Science Communication unit (SCU), the research highlighted how over the last two decades, tick-transmitted diseases such as Lyme disease, tickborne relapsing fever, tick-borne encephalitis and Crimean Congo haemorrhagic fever viruses have continued to increase in frequency and range across Europe.
This is in part due to climate change creating longer mild seasons when the ticks are active and the broadening of their geographic range northwards into previously colder regions, and up to higher altitudes.
For example, Borrelia miyamotoi, the organism that can cause some tickborne diseases, has now been observed in numerous European countries including the UK, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Sweden and Switzerland. A bite from the infected tick can lead to diseases including tick-borne relapsing fever.
Nicola Shale, who is a science writer in the SCU and is co-author of the report, said: “Borrelia miyamotoi can occur with Lyme disease and other tick-borne infections – such as the blood parasite babesia – resulting in unusual symptoms, meaning it is under-reported.
“Clinicians in the UK and other European countries might not have heard of Borrelia miyamotoi, or the blood parasite Babesia, yet these human pathogens are present in some ticks in the UK. Healthcare systems, therefore, need to be primed for patients presenting with new zoonotic diseases, as climate change causes novel pathogens to become more prevalent in northern European countries.”
Global warming is also contributing to the increasing occurrence of tiger mosquitos across Europe, leading to malaria re-emerging in Greece, West Nile virus emerging across parts of Eastern Europe, as well as dengue fever in Croatia and chikungunya in France. Shale said: “The spread of the invasive tiger mosquito across Europe is particularly concerning, as they are more competent vectors for more dangerous pathogens than the native European species of mosquito.”
The report found that the increasing frequency of epidemics and pandemics (including Covid-19) since 2000 has been linked to the same global environmental changes driving biodiversity loss and climate change. The majority of emerging diseases (e.g. Ebola, Zika) and almost all known pandemics are caused by microbes of animal origin (and are therefore called ‘zoonoses’). And it warned that the more we have contact with wildlife and livestock, the more likely these microbes may ‘spill over’ to humans.
However, land use change, agricultural intensification and expansion, wildlife trade and consumption are all increasing wildlife/human contact. The global demand for meat in poorer nations by developed nations, for instance, is leading to unsustainable farming practices and land clearance – ultimately contributing to increased pandemic risk.
Shale said: “The research highlights the interconnectedness of human and environmental health and raises awareness around health threats posed by practices such as buying exotic pets. For example, Monkey Pox first emerged in the West, in the US in 2003, and was traced back to a shipment of Gambian pouched rats sold as pets. It also helps provide more in-depth knowledge of the environmental drivers of disease, to nudge people towards better environmental stewardship.”
The report also referred to the One Health High-Level Expert Panel, convened in 2021 by the World Health Organization (WHO) to provide policy-relevant science on health with regard to human/animal interaction. In particular, the panel is looking to create guidance on a long-term strategic approach to reducing the risk of zoonotic pandemics, with an associated monitoring and early-warning framework.
Related news
28 November 2024
Work of UWE Bristol academics features in Government report on air quality measurement
Two UWE Bristol academics have made contributions to an influential Government report on the measurement of air pollution.
27 November 2024
Traffic noise reduces the stress-relieving benefits of listening to nature, study finds
Road traffic noise reduces the wellbeing benefits associated with spending time listening to nature, researchers have discovered.
22 November 2024
UWE Bristol professor unveils blue plaque honouring Bristol’s Cary Grant
Dr Charlotte Crofts joined Historic England to unveil a blue plaque celebrating the Hollywood star.
20 November 2024
Innovative university-business partnership to power economic growth and devolution for the West of England
A new centre created by the University of Bath with UWE Bristol and Futures West will pioneer new approaches to economic research and data analysis for the West of England.
15 November 2024
Global body confidence education project supported by UWE Bristol reaches 20 year milestone
A global initiative supported by UWE Bristol to build body confidence and self-esteem for the next generation of young people has celebrated its 20th anniversary.
05 November 2024
Researchers are turning soil sounds into songs
When David Attenborough said saving the planet is now a communications challenge, he probably wasn’t thinking about the possibility of DJs doing soil sets.
22 October 2024
‘Life changing’ prosthetic leg developed at UWE Bristol to be trialled at global competition
Researchers from UWE Bristol are preparing to showcase an advanced bio-inspired prosthetic leg they have developed to improve the quality of life for people with above-knee amputations.
17 October 2024
Immersive Arts opens applications with grants up to £50,000 available
Immersive Arts, a UK programme to support artists to make and share extraordinary immersive work, has opened applications for its first round of funding.
15 October 2024
Researchers create 3D printed food for people with swallowing difficulties
Researchers have developed meals suitable for people with dysphagia (swallowing difficulties) using 3D printing technology.
07 October 2024
Opinion: why UWE Bristol is championing immersive arts as a 21st Century artform
A new £3.6m programme will engage artists across the UK to help understand the role that technology can play in driving forward immersive arts.
01 October 2024
Research study aims to improve dementia assessments for diverse communities in Bristol
UWE Bristol is launching a research project aimed at transforming the assessment and diagnosis of dementia for people from three minority ethnic communities in Bristol.
01 October 2024
New guidance launched to help local authorities promote health through Local Plans
New practical guidance to help local authorities in England create places that promote health has been co-authored by a UWE Bristol academic.