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Released at COP29 in the WHO Pavillion. Baku, Azerbaijan. On the final day of COP29, an international team of over 100 scientists and policymakers released the 2024 edition of the Climate Change and Epidemics report at the WHO Pavilion.

This comprehensive report highlights the growing intersection of climate change and infectious disease outbreaks, with 2024 marking a record year for new and amplified epidemics.

The report underscores the alarming acceleration of pathogen spread, driven by climate change. This year alone, the world witnessed the highest number of dengue virus cases ever recorded, with over 13 million diagnosed cases globally.

Additionally, 2024 saw an unprecedented spread of the West Nile virus, with 19 European countries reporting cases. In East Africa, alarming spikes in antimicrobial resistance related to Malaria have been observed, while a new pathogen, Oropouche, emerged.

The report identifies three primary factors through which climate change is exacerbating the spread of infectious diseases:

1. Gradual Temperature Rise: The continuous increase in global temperatures is creating more hospitable environments for disease vectors, including mosquitoes, rodents, and ticks.

2. Extreme Climate Events: More frequent and severe extreme weather events such as floods, hurricanes, and droughts are further driving the spread of disease.

3. Climate Migration: Shifting patterns of temperature and rainfall are affecting food and water availability, which, in turn, forces population displacement, creating new vectors for disease transmission.

In response to these accelerating threats, the Climate Change and Epidemics 2024 report outlines actionable recommendations for governments, public health organizations, and the private sector.

Access Report Online: https://climade.health/climade-cop29-report/

Click on the image above to read the gem, genomics, epidemics & microbes Vol 8 Issue 1, Jan 2025, or scan the qrcode.