Food-borne and water-borne diseases under climate change in low- and middle-income countries: Further efforts needed for reducing environmental health exposure risks

Abstract

A B S T R A C TThis paper provides a view of the major facts and figures related to infectious diseases with a focus on food-borne and water-borne diseases and their link with environmental factors and climate change. The global burden of food-borne diseases for 31 selected hazards was estimated by the World Health Organization at 33 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) in 2010 with 40% of this burden concentrated among children under 5 years of age. The highest burden per population of food-borne diseases is found in Africa, followed by Southeast Asia and the Eastern Mediterranean sub-regions. Unsafe water used for the cleaning and processing of food is a key risk factors contributing to food-borne diseases. The role of quality and quantity of water to the general burden of infectious diseases deserves attention, particularly in low-and middle-income countries, as its effects go beyond the food chain. Water-related infectious diseases are a major cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide, and climate change effects will exacerbate the challenges for the public health sector for both foodborne and water-borne diseases. Selected case studies from Africa and Asia show that (i) climate change extreme events, such as floods, may exacerbate the risks for infectious diseases spreading through water systems, and (ii) improvements related to drinking water, sanitation and hygiene could result in a significant reduction of intestinal parasitic infections among school-aged children. There is a need to better anticipate the impacts of climate change on infectious diseases and fostering multi-stakeholder engagement and multi-sectoral collaborations for integrated interventions at schools, community and household levels. The paper calls for giving priority to improving the environmental conditions affecting food-borne and water-borne infectious diseases under climate change.

Implications of human activities for (re)emerging infectious diseases, including COVID-19

“…The burden of food- and water-borne diseases (FWBDs) is found in some parts of developing countries and areas where food and water hygiene are inadequate. For example, in Africa, FWBDs account for 91 million illnesses, resulting in 137,000 deaths, annually [ 63 ]. Important causes of food-borne diseases are noroviruses, Campylobacter spp., and nontyphoidal Salmonella , while those of water-borne diseases remain diarrheal diseases, such as cholera, Shigella , and poliomyelitis.…”

“…Additionally, food-handling practices have been associated with SARS and H5N1 outbreaks [ 48 ]. Proper water, sanitation, and hygiene interventions can significantly reduce FWBDs [ 63 ].…”

Swachh Hasth-A Water Cleaning Robot

“…It causes many severe water-borne diseases such as diarrhea, trachoma, hepatitis, etc., to humans. According to WHO, 22% of all communicable diseases are water-borne diseases [4]. The maximum impact is on marine animals because their survival is completely dependent on water.…”

The source of potential pollution and diarrhea on toodlers at populous area (a study at Johar Baru Subdistrict, Central Jakarta)

“…The contamination of coli and fecal coli in the wells or groundwater has a greater percentage compared to heavy metals in the dry season and the main one is the rainy season [8]. During the rainy season, the outbreak of water borne diseases will be very high due to the high levels of microbial contamination and improper water treatment [9].…”