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Infectious Disease and Climate Change
When summer rolls around, many Canadians are used to dealing with pests – be it mosquitoes out in the yard or ticks when walking in the forest. But in a warming world, these pests are likely to be more than just a nuisance. Climate-driven infectious diseases carried by insects such as mosquitoes and ticks are increasing in parts of Canada, and are expected to continue increasing as the climate changes.
Insects aren't the only cause for concern. Infectious diseases can also be carried in food and water, and are expected to be affected by climate change as well. Changes in temperature and precipitation, and extreme events such as floods and droughts can have significant impact on the range and spread of infectious diseases.
The ways that infectious diseases may be influenced by climate change are complex and the research is constantly improving. Health researchers have identified some vector-, food-, and water-borne diseases which are likely to be of significant concern for the health of Canadians in the future. This work helps us be aware of how infectious diseases are changing so we can better protect our health.
Video
The Risks are Real
Infectious Disease in a Changing Climate
The health of every life form on earth is affected by the changing climate, from tiny microbes, to the vast boreal forest. Some impacts of climate change are visible, like more frequent and severe forest fires, where the smoke is harmful to our health. However, there are other things that can make us sick that we cannot see.
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Waterborne Diseases and Climate Change
With summer temperatures starting to soar, many Canadians are eager to visit our favourite local beaches to break the heat. In many parts of the country, this means a trip to the nearest lake or river.
Climate change is impacting waterbodies across the country, with lakes in Canada warming two times faster than other lakes in the world. And with these changes come increased health risks. Higher temperatures and changing precipitation patterns make lakes more suitable for waterborne disease outbreaks. As water quality worsens under climate change, beach closures and swimming advisories are expected to become more common.
Video
Hotter Summers, Greener Lakes
Algal blooms, climate change, and human health
As summers become longer and hotter under climate change, many Canadians will be seeking relief at lake beaches. But hotter summers and changing precipitation make favourable conditions for algal blooms to grow in the water, which can produce toxins that are harmful to human health. Experts, Indigenous communities, and residents in the Lake Winnipeg area are all too familiar with the impacts of algal blooms on health, as they discuss in this video
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Lyme Disease Under Climate Change
When the three hottest months of the high-sun season roll around, many Canadians are used to dealing with pests - be it those pesky mosquitoes when working out in the yard or sticky ticks when walking in the forest. But in a warming world, these pests are becoming more than just a nuisance for Canadians.
Infectious diseases carried by insect vectors such as ticks are increasingly common in parts of Canada, and this increase is due in part to climate change.
Video
A Ticking Clock
Lyme disease, climate change, and public health
Lyme disease is on the rise in Canada, due in part to climate change. Warming temperatures are allowing blacklegged ticks - the species that can carry Lyme disease in central and eastern Canada - to move into new territories. Hear from the scientists, medical professionals, and citizens on the front lines of this infectious disease issue, and how we can prepare and protect our families and communities from this risk.
SPECIAL REPORT
Climate Change and Lyme Disease
Communications Guide
Despite scientific evidence that climate change has profound and far reaching implications for public health, translating this knowledge in a manner that supports citizen engagement, applied decision-making, and behavioural change can be challenging.
We developed communications materials focusing on the connection between climate change and Lyme disease, and tested them with focus group participants. Based on the results of this study, we made recommendations when communicating climate change and health across different audiences.
Download the report (PDF, 1.4MB)
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Mosquito-borne Diseases and Climate Change
When you think about dangerous animals, big or poisonous creatures probably come to mind. But in fact, mosquitoes are one of the most deadly animals in the world.
That’s because mosquitoes can transmit a range of diseases which are of major public health concern globally.
Most Canadians think of these diseases carried by mosquitoes, called mosquito-borne diseases (MBD), as being limited to warm southern climates, like malaria or dengue fever. While it is true that they are far more common in the tropics, warming temperatures and increasing precipitation under climate change in Canada are expected to increase the presence of some MBD right here at home.
Video
What's the Buzz
Mosquito-borne Diseases and Climate Change
“What’s the Buzz” tells the story of Canada’s increase in mosquito-borne diseases over the last 20 years, largely due to climate change. With warmer, wetter weather in our future, experts expect these diseases will become more common. Canadians are being impacted while also responding to an increase in West Nile Virus and adapting to lessen their risk.
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Climate change touches all of our lives, one way or another. Because it affects all aspects of modern life, there are many kinds of meaningful choices we can make that will help.
Climate change solutions start close to home, with simple actions in our own homes and families, but also involve new ways of thinking, planning, and acting in workplaces, neighbourhoods, and communities across the country.
See our "Take Action" topic for ideas and examples of innovative climate action taking place all across Canada.
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