Climate change and infectious diseases in Europe

This statement, by the European Academies Science Advisory Council, assesses the current evidence of climate change and infectious diseases in Europe.

Findings indicate the potential for an increasing challenge to European public health from arboviral (arthropod-transmitted) diseases like tick-borne encephalitis (TBE), West Nile fever (WNF), chikungunya, diseases caused by rodent-borne hanta viruses, and parasitic diseases such as dirofilariasis and leishmaniasis.

Climate change is increasing the threat of infections, such as bluetongue virus (BTV), in domesticated animals. Based on the current knowledge, it is difficult to predict the consequences of climate change on infectious disease, especially the emergence of new infectious diseases in Europe. But in order to prepare for and respond to potential impacts and surprises, concerted action is need. This is why policy-makers at the national and the European Union (EU) level need to deliver this concerted action.