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Is there a link between pollutant exposure and emerging infectious disease?
Elizabeth Hodges1, Veronica Tomcej1
1Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (UCVM) (Hodges), Faculty of Medicine (Tomcej), University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta.
Summary
Pollution levels may help identify emerging infectious disease (EID) hotspots. Further research is recommended to confirm if pollutant status predicts EID risk.
Area of Science:
- Environmental science
- Epidemiology
- Public health
Background:
- Emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) pose significant global health risks.
- Identifying EID hotspots is crucial for effective disease surveillance and control.
- Environmental factors are increasingly recognized as contributors to EID emergence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential role of a population's pollution status in classifying emerging infectious disease (EID) hotspots.
- To evaluate the evidence linking environmental pollutants to EID risk.
Main Methods:
- A scoping literature review was conducted.
- Existing studies on EIDs and environmental pollution were systematically examined.
Main Results:
- Evidence suggests that a population's pollution status can refine the classification of EID hotspots.
- The review identified a potential correlation between pollutant levels and EID emergence.
Conclusions:
- Pollution status may serve as a valuable indicator for predicting and managing EID risk.
- Further systematic reviews and targeted studies are recommended to validate the predictive value of pollutant status for EID risk.
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