Climate Change: Infectious diseases have been wreaking havoc all over the world for the last three to four years. The main reason for this is being told as climate change. Recently, the University of East Anglia (UEA) has revealed in its report that due to the continued warming of the climate, there is a possibility of a significant increase in potentially fatal infections caused by bacteria found along the coast of the United States. This research has told a sign of danger for the people living on the east coast. The study sheds light on the alarming increase in the population of a type of flesh-eating bacteria, Vibrio vulnificus, and the infections it can cause. Experts say that these bacteria spread infection by entering the body by coming in contact with seawater from human wounds or mutilated places.
Vibrio vulnificus bacteria have increased unexpectedly on the East Coast in the last 30 years, due to which it is considered a global ‘hotspot’. The researchers developed a 30-year ecological niche model that identifies links between meteorology and climate data. In the past, this data has been used to detect future diseases. However, scientists have said that these bacteria are produced in warm and low-salt places, so the risk of infection due to seawater on this east coast is rare.
The study concluded that climate change provides a suitable environment for V. vulnificus bacteria to thrive on the East Coast and that by 2041–2060, both SSP126 and SSP370 and tmean and Under the tmax model, these bacteria will spread over an area of more than 1000 km. At the same time, scientists estimate that by the year 2081-2100, this bacteria can spread from its present place to an area of about 1000 kilometers with medium to high potential, which includes almost every state in America.
The study emphasizes the need for increased personal and public health awareness in these areas and highlights the urgent need for action to mitigate climate change. Estimated spread of V. vulnificus wound infection is dangerous. This underlines the importance of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to limit the impact of climate change on public health.