Climatic suitability for infectious disease transmission - Vibrio

Vibrio bacteria are found in lowly saline, warm waters and can cause a range of human infections, including gastroenteritis, wound infections or blood poisoning (septicaemia). This indicator assesses the influence of a changing climate on the environmental suitability for the transmission of these infectious diseases.

Caveats

1. The infection rate applied here is based on the published data for the USA.50 A more accurate infection rate adjusted to the epidemiological situation in Europe would be convenient to obtain a more precise picture of the impact of Vibrio illness across Europe. Additionally, a more realistic estimate of infection rate needs also to consider limitations of surveillance data and under-reporting, which has been widely reported worldwide. In Trinanes, Martinez-Urtaza, 202149 we corrected the estimated number of cases by applying the under-reporting ratio for the USA of 14351. However, an estimate of the underreporting in Europe would be also necessary. The current form doesn’t take into account regional/national, socio-economic, and cultural conditions. 
2. The population datasets show gaps for certain non-landlocked countries in the European continent.
3. The indicators are provided at NUTS 0 level.
4. The ocean parameters, more importantly SSS, show certain limitations in the coastal region, as models do not usually provide an accurate picture of SSS variability under heavy rainfall and/or river runoff and/or ice melting. This might be mitigated by an improved in-situ observing network in the coastal areas, and enhanced model data assimilation schemes.