i- In a recent study published in the Robert Koch Institute’s Journal of Health Monitoring, scientists stated that climate change is expected to lead to an increase in foodborne infections and presents a growing health risk in Germany. The review looks at hazards to human health posed by relevant bacteria, parasites, and marine biotoxins in Germany including Salmonella, Campylobacter, and Vibrio, and parasites Cryptosporidium and Giardia.
- The study authors note that climate change can lead to higher air and water temperatures, increased precipitation, or water scarcity. This may lead to the agriculture industry relying on treated wastewater due to water shortages in the future, according to the report. This would pose a risk to food safety because of possible contamination of irrigated produce by pathogens.
- Campylobacter and Salmonella grow in higher temperatures and those infections typically occur in the summer months. Because climate change has led to prolonged warm periods, the authors predict that these bacterial infections can pose a risk for longer stretches of time. The increase in water temperature will lead to an amplification of Vibrio contamination in European seafood catching, harvesting, and farming areas, and will also expand beyond summer and autumn months.
- Research suggests that a changing climate also has a direct impact on the prevalence and virulence of parasites, which are already very stable in the environment. Extreme weather such as heavy rainfall and flooding, which are expected to increase as a result of climate change, grow the risk of infectious oocysts/cysts entering bodies of water, as well as the risk of contamination of plant-based foods, said researchers.
Increase in Foodborne Illnesses Expected due to Climate Change
Thursday, August 10, 2023
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