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Climate change

Potential impacts on food- and waterborne diseases in the EU

Stockholm (March 28, 2012) – ECDC issued the report ‘Assessing the potential impacts of climate change on food- and waterborne diseases in Europe’. This report identifies the relationships between meteorological and climate variables and six food- and waterborne pathogens, by reviewing existing literature, in order to assess the potential impacts of climate change on food- and waterborne disease transmission in the EU.

Climate change projections for Europe for the coming decades anticipate increases in average temperatures, increases in precipitation particularly in the north of Europe, decreases in precipitation in the south of Europe, and an increase in extreme weather events such as droughts, heat waves and flooding.

These changes may impact human health and well-being. Because food- and waterborne pathogens are known to be sensitive to climatic conditions, public health planning and preparedness activities should be informed by the potential impacts that climate change could have on the transmission of these diseases.

In the face of diminishing resources for public health, this study approach can be helpful in assessing different public health strategies for responding to climate change.

• Read the full report ‘Assessing the potential impacts of climate change on food- and waterborne diseases in Europe’ – http://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/publications/Publications/Forms/ECDC_DispForm.aspx?ID=848

• Read more on ECDC website: Climate change: http://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/healthtopics/climate_change/Pages/index.aspx

European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), 28.03.2012 (tB).