Infectious diseases and climate change
Infectious diseases, pathogens (living things that cause disease) and vectors (living things that spread disease) are sensitive to changes in the environment and climate. Environments are likely to become more suitable for climate-driven infectious diseases as:
- temperatures increase, resulting in longer summers and milder winters
- the amount of precipitation (rain, sleet and snow) varies
These changes may allow certain pathogens or vectors to:
- grow in number
- establish in new areas
- expand and shift in geographic range
This puts you at greater risk of being exposed to new and established diseases that can affect your health and well-being.
Some of the growing risks of climate-driven diseases and infections are:
- viral
- fungal
- bacterial
- parasitic
They may be spread by:
- bugs
- animals
- air and soil
- contaminated water or food
The spread of disease and human exposure is also influenced by:
- trade and travel
- biodiversity loss
- land degradation
- ecosystem changes
- habitat fragmentation
Adapting to climate change is about changing our behaviours to avoid harm. Behaviour changes that will help reduce the spread of infectious diseases can include:
- checking for ticks after enjoying the outdoors
- wearing long sleeves and pants to avoid bug bites
- bathing thoroughly after swimming in lakes, rivers or streams
- washing your hands thoroughly after handling raw or uncooked meat or coming into contact with wildlife, farm animals or pets
We are gathering information about the links between climate change and human health, and creating strategies to prevent and adapt to threats. The Infectious Disease and Climate Change (IDCC) Program addresses the impact of climate change on human health in Canada.
As part of the program, we launched the Infectious Disease and Climate Change Fund in 2017. The fund focuses on monitoring and surveillance, and education and awareness.
The IDCC program and fund also helps, in part, the Federal Framework on Lyme Disease and Action Plan by supporting projects that:
- enhance surveillance and monitoring efforts of Lyme disease in Canada
- develop new education and awareness resources and tools about Lyme disease for the public and health professionals
Helpful information
Learn more about Lyme disease and West Nile virus.
The Health of Canadians in a Changing Climate: Knowledge to Action report also includes important information about:
- infectious diseases
- food-borne diseases
- water-borne diseases
- the risks and potential adaptation solutions