Page 60 - GALENIKA MEDICAL JOURNAL

Changes in the distribution and capacity of vectors, coupled food availability, and resulting in an increase in malnutri-
with increased human mobility, could lead to the emergen- tion, which leads to the death of 3.5 million people every
ce of unexpected diseases, as was the case with the emer- year. Malnutrition is a dominant problem in underdevelo-
gence of the chikungunya virus (Chikungunya - an ssRNA ped and developing countries, but developed countries also
virus from the Togaviridae family that causes high fevers face poverty issues with a significant portion of the popu-
accompanied by joint pain) or potentially the emergence lation experiencing reduced access to food. Reduced food
of Dengue (hemorrhagic fever caused by an arbovirus from availability is the most significant factor driving population
the Flaviviridae family). In 2018, the EU recorded as many as migration, according to WHO data from 2015, which was
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2,083 cases of West Nile virus infection, which causes en- 40% higher than in the year 2000. The indirect impacts of
cephalitis. This virus is introduced into Europe by migratory climate change on food production and nutrition arise due
birds from Africa and the Middle East and is transmitted to economic and social instability, agricultural focus on bio-
among humans via mosquitoes 11, 12 . Changes in the distribu- fuel production, reduced crop yields due to environmental
tion of ticks have also been observed, with their movement changes, particularly droughts and water scarcity for irriga-
towards the north and appearance at higher altitudes, cou- tion, and decreased availability and quality of fish and se-
pled with mild winters, leading to an increase in tick popula- afood. Extreme weather events, temperature fluctuations,
tions. This results in an increased risk of human illness from or changes in precipitation can directly destroy crops and
Lyme disease (the infected tick transmits Borrelia through food storage, hinder transportation, and prevent food dis-
its bite, causing fever, headache, fatigue, the appearance tribution. The proliferation of insects - pests and the spread
of a circular rash known as erythema migrans, followed by of plant diseases carried by insects contribute to the emer-
symptoms affecting joints, the heart, and the central ner- gence and spread of these diseases even in regions where
vous system) or tick-borne encephalitis (the tick transmits they were not previously present. In areas with high levels
a virus from the Flaviviridae group that causes encephali- of rainfall and after floods, an increase in fungal and bacte-
tis) . Changes in the geographical distribution of mosqui- rial plant diseases has been observed, and during warmer
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toes and sandflies (Phlebotomus and Lutzomya), which are summers, there is increased reproduction of thermophilic
vectors for leishmaniasis - protozoa that cause cutaneous fungi . Drought favors the development of Aspergillus fla-
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(skin changes), mucocutaneous (skin changes around the vus, which produces aflatoxin, and is associated with the
bite with infection spreading to mucous membranes - often onset of hepatocellular carcinoma in individuals who have
with fatal outcome), or visceral leishmaniasis-Kala azar (ele- consumed contaminated maize in their nutrition . Animal
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vated temperature, hepatosplenomegaly with anemia and health in climate change can be threatened by vector-borne
cardiomyopathy), may lead to the appearance of these dise- diseases, weather-dependent diseases (dehydration, heat-
ases in Europe, although they are characteristic of the South stroke), and diseases transmitted by wildlife (rabies, swine
American continent and tropical regions in Africa and Asia 11, fever, and tuberculosis). The reduction in water availability
13 . In China, there has been an increase in schistosomiasis, leads to an increase in the number of animals in one place,
resulting from transmission via snails that proliferate rapid- contributing to easier disease transmission among them.
ly in conditions of increased rainfall. Rainfall can affect the The impact of climate change on oceans is reflected in rising
growth and bearing of fruit trees, leading to the movement sea levels, increased growth of toxic algae, and dissolution
of mice that feed on their fruits and transmit the hantavirus, of large concentrations of CO in the oceans, leading to aci-
2
resulting in pulmonary syndrome caused by the hantavirus dification and disruption of ecosystems, along with changes
in these areas. The spread of the disease may also depend in the quality and availability of seafood. The development
on changes in bird migration routes, as freezing of surface of algae producing neurotoxins, as well as the accumulati-
waters and reduction of food sources for birds in some re- on of heavy metals, primarily mercury and lead, in fish and
gions may lead to alterations in migratory paths, explaining seafood, significantly reduces this food source for a large
the spread of avian flu to Europe . portion of the world's population .
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The influence of climate change on the Impact of climate change on migration
lack of availability of food and water and mental health of people
Themperature changes, changes in the quantity and The long-term effects of climate change (natural disa-
type of precipitation, and glacier melting are already occu- sters, sea level rise, destruction of local economies, deple-
rring and contribute to issues regarding the availability and tion of natural food, water, and fuel resources, as well as
quality of water worldwide. It is estimated that half of hu- the risk of conflicts and local wars) led to population migra-
manity is currently experiencing a serious water shortage . tion (between 2008 and 2015, 26 million people annually
2
Droughts reduce water availability, while decreased water migrated due to climate change), and by 2050, migration
flow during summer months increases the risk of bacterial of approximately 200 million people is expected . The psy-
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and chemical contamination of water. Climate change leads chological state of individuals who are attached to their en-
to a reduction in food production, causing uncertainty in vironment but have been forced to move against their will

58 DOI: 10.5937/Galmed2409062I