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Webinar #25 - Thursday, December 5, 2013
Climate Change, Ecology, and Disease Emergence – A Public Health Perspective
Ben Beard
Chief, Bacterial Diseases Branch, Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, NCEZID
Centers for Disease Control, Fort Collins, CO
(biography)
"Vector-borne diseases are diseases that are transmitted by
mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas. Most of these illnesses are also zoonoses,
meaning that they are harbored naturally by wild and sometimes domestic
animals. Examples of these diseases include West Nile virus infection,
Lyme disease, plague, and rabies. Vector-borne and zoonotic diseases
have a strong link to the environment. As environmental conditions
change, it is likely that certain diseases will occur in areas where
they previously had not been seen. Likewise, we also expect that these
same diseases may become less important in places where they have been
of great importance historically. In the U.S., it remains unclear
exactly how climate change may impact the distribution and occurrence of
existing infectious diseases, as well as the introduction and
establishment of exotic disease agents. Research and surveillance that
is underway, however, will help address these important questions. The
best preparation we can take now to prevent and adapt to emerging
infectious disease threats related to climate change is to continue an
investment in infectious disease surveillance and maintain a strong
public health system so that when diseases occur in new areas, they will
be quickly detected and reported, allowing prevention and control
activities to be rapidly and effectively mobilized."
View the Webinar by clicking here: http://youtu.be/8WyoaVNJKbY
View Ben Beard's presentation slides  (9.8MB)
Resources:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
CDC's Climate and Health Program
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