How climate change affects waterborne diseases
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Waterborne diseases like cholera and typhoid are still a leading cause of human morbidity and mortality worldwide. As climate change increasingly impacts global temperatures and weather events, the risk of these infectious diseases will only worsen. But there are actions we can take to reduce these risks.
Summary
What are the effects of climate change on waterborne diseases?
- Waterborne diseases cause 3.5 million deaths annually.
- High temperatures, heavy rain and drought increase the risk of waterborne diseases, such as cholera, typhoid and E. coli.
- Actions to mitigate and adapt to climate change, such as transitioning to renewable energy and improving disease surveillance, can help reduce the risk of waterborne diseases.
What causes waterborne diseases?
Waterborne diseases are caused by drinking or coming into contact with contaminated water.
This contamination could be caused by pollutants, like agricultural chemicals, or faeces from an infected person or animal.
How is climate c...
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