The human body from its origins has had to adapt and strengthen itself to different habitats, to different conditions, but can Europeans do it to global warming? Pathogensi.e. viruses, bacteria, fungi and other microorganisms, could increase their presence in the coming years in the Old Continent.
This is revealed by a study published in Scintific Reports, which was led by scientist Marie McIntyre, from the University of Liverpool. What future awaits us?
Each place, each area is more prone to having certain diseases, but as the global average temperature increases, pathogens tend to colonize regions that were once too cold for them, as did for example the tiger mosquito in Spain a decade ago. This insect is the cause of diseases such as chikungunya fever, dengue or yellow fever, problems that the country did not have until a few years ago. But it is not the only thing we need to worry about.
The researchers, after reviewing the documents published on one hundred human pathogens and some others present in domestic animals present in Europe, came to the conclusion that diseases spread by insects and ticks are the most sensitive to climate.
As McIntyre explains, “although there is a well-established link between climate change and infectious diseases, we previously did not understand how big the effects would be and which diseases would be most affected. The climate sensitivity of pathogens is a key indicator that diseases can respond to climate change, so assessing which pathogens are most sensitive to the climate and their characteristics is vital information if we want to prepare for the future».
Therefore, the future in Europe can be very complicated.
If you want to read the study, Click here.