New research is investigating how climate and land-use change, as well as government policies, will affect the spread of some diseases that pose a particular threat to humans, animals or plants.
The project, led by the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH) also involves the University of Warwick, Imperial College London, The Pirbright Institute and University of Glasgow. It is funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).
Unintended consequences
UKCEH theoretical ecologist Dr Steven White, the principal investigator, explains: “Unfortunately, some of the ways we are dealing with the impacts of the climate and biodiversity crises are having unintended consequences, helping diseases to thrive.
“For example, reforestation and rewilding policies designed to combat climate change could increase the risk of crop plant diseases while providing improved habitat for deer, which are hosts for the ticks that spread a range of viruses affecting the health of people or livestock.”
Dr White says we are unprepared for so-called environmentally sensitive diseases due to the complex ecology involved in disease transmission and the diversity of science and policy disciplines involved. Bringing together a range of scientists and policymakers will balance the needs of mitigating climate change and preventing disease.
Infections whose transmission stages are influenced by environmental factors include dengue fever, bluetongue and Xylella fastidiosa, which either pose a current threat to the UK or are likely to do so in the future.
Identifying solutions
The research team will review how climate and land-use change, and related policies will affect the spread of so-called environmentally sensitive diseases.
It will also identify gaps in knowledge that will hamper our preparedness for diseases spreading, as well as put forward possible solutions to reduce the future risk of transmission, including suggestions for new data and modelling. The researchers will utilise their new ‘roadmap’ to apply for future UKRI funding to develop their ideas.
The UKCEH-led project, PrepSense (Preparing for the Impact of Climate and Land-Use Changes on Environmentally Sensitive Diseases), has received £100,000 for the initial work and is one of 12 such Phase 1 projects that are benefiting from a total £1 million UKRI investment in research to help fight future disease outbreaks.