Biodiversity Loss, Chemical Pollution and Other Factors Increase Risks of Infectious Disease Outbreaks [Study]

Infectious diseases like measles, influenza, tuberculosis, and HIV/AIDS pose a great risk to public health, based on records for the past several decades. These pathogen-borne illnesses have been responsible for human fatalities in multiple cases, especially when left untreated. Amid this threat, medical experts have long studied the patterns, causes, and drivers behind these diseases.

In a new study, scientists confirm that anthropogenic change which result in biodiversity loss, chemical pollution, and other factors contributes to the rise of infectious disease outbreaks. A grand framework that outlines and predicts the spread of pathogenic diseases remains incomplete. However, the authors of the research paper provided novel insights that could explain this gap.

In recent years, climate experts warn that the environment (in the form of climate change and global warming) can trigger the spread of vector-borne diseases, which are carried by mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas. The current climate crisis has been attributed to be a product of anthropogenic change, a phenomenon linked with human activities like greenhouse gas emissions and fossil fuel burning.

Infectious Disease Outbreaks

Pathogenic microorganisms such as viruses, bacteria, fungi, or parasites cause infectious diseases. These harmful agents can get into our bodies, which can lead to varying illnesses that may result in health deterioration or even death. During a disease outbreak, these agents can spread between humans, through bug bites, or contaminated food or water, according to Cleveland Clinic.

Unlike non-infectious diseases, which are not caused by outside organisms, infectious diseases are associated with the environment. Due to these differences, the spread or frequency of infections is also influenced by external forces relative to the body of a pathogen's potential host. For instance, weather conditions can alter environments and help in the spread of vector-borne diseases.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) diseases caused by pathogenic microorganisms can be grouped in three categories:

• Diseases which may result in high levels of mortality
• Diseases which can lead to disability
• Diseases which could pave the way for serious global repercussions

The WHO explains that some causes of infectious diseases are beyond the control of the health sector. This means there are factors that trigger or contribute to the cause or spread of pathogenic diseases, an area addressed by a recent study.

Anthropogenic Change

According to a study published in the journal Nature on May 8, researchers found anthropogenic change or certain global change drivers which increase the risk of infectious disease outbreaks. Based on their findings, the research team from various institutions in the United States outlined the following drivers that increases such risk:

• Biodiversity loss
• Chemical pollution
• Climate change
• Introduced species

The results of the May 2024 research paper suggest these drivers are linked with increases in disease-related endpoints or harm. However, urbanization is connected with decreases in disease endpoints.