Climate change and the global food chain: a catalyst for emerging infectious diseases?

Climate change is disrupting the global food chain, affecting food production, delivery and safety. Extreme weather events disrupt the quality of food and water, while rising temperatures accelerate the spread of microbes. Habitat destruction also forces wildlife in close proximity to people, increasing the risk of zoonotic diseases. Threatening global health seriously, these disturbances also increase the probability of infectious and food-borne diseases.

A narrative review of literature data from WHO publications, Google Scholar and PubMed. The review examines the impacts of climate change on agriculture, food supply systems, and the associated transmission of infectious disease - specifically zoonotic and food-borne diseases.

As temperatures increase, the germs multiply easily - and the risk of E. coli and Salmonella goes up. Waterborne diseases such as Norovirus and Hepatitis A are more likely to spread in typified extreme weather conditions such as floods. Ecosystem changes push humans and animals into a closer relationship that can lead to zoonotic spillovers, such as the Nipah virus and COVID-19. The growth of animal production and international trade exacerbates antimicrobial resistance (AMR) issues, imposing challenges to disease control.

Climate change is a critical public health emergency with risks of zoonotic and food-borne illnesses alarmingly on the rise. This is an important step toward a One Health approach, which also addresses the integration of human, animal, and environmental health, as well as strengthens food safety regulations and enhances disease surveillance. It needs immediate international cooperation to construct a robust and sustainable food system that reduces health hazards.

Not applicable.