Flood disasters re-emerge ancient epidemics

Weather of Arabia - Scientific reports and studies in the affected areas reveal an organic relationship between floods and the emergence of diseases. In the second half of 2018, Salmonella enterica spread along the North Carolina coast. Most researchers have linked this disease to the presence of large numbers of pig farms in the region.

Salmonella enterica is a bacteria that lives in the intestines of humans and animals, and is usually eliminated with feces and enters sewage systems. When it enters the human body again, it is not the same peaceful creature that lived in his body before, but rather appears in the form of an infection. Therefore, researchers linked the spread of infection to the presence of many pig farms in the same area at that time.

However, another team of researchers, representing the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, appears to have a different view, especially since the spread of infection coincided with the Florence Flood in September of the same year, which affected North Carolina. Researchers have linked this flood to the spread of Salmonella enterica infection.

They collected about 25 samples of water from bodies of water under pig farms in the state, and 23 of them showed Salmonella enterica bacteria. They analyzed the sequences of genes within bacteria, which are usually in the form of chromosomes and plasmids.

The research results showed that the samples of intestinal salmonella bacteria collected were not of animal origin. After a careful and detailed analysis of the origin of these bacteria, it was ultimately found that their main source is stagnant water in rivers and ponds. This means that its formation was natural in the environment. The study results were published in the journal Geo Health in November 2023.

Flood disasters re-emerge ancient epidemics?

North Carolina's location as an area vulnerable to tropical flooding highlights the importance of studying the impact of climate conditions on the spread of diseases, especially in light of worsening global warming. Warm conditions appear to provide an ideal environment for bacteria such as Salmonella enterica to flourish and grow.

Therefore, sewage systems or livestock farms should not be viewed as the sole source of spread of Salmonella enterica or pathogens in general. The natural environment, especially in flood conditions and high temperatures, appears to promote the spread of these bacteria.

The big problem is that many pathogens are resistant to antibiotics, which makes treating diseases more complex. There are many strains of Salmonella enterica that are resistant to antibiotics, which poses a major challenge to healthcare systems, especially in cases of disease outbreaks following climate disasters.

The results of this study are an important incentive to address the spread of antibiotic-resistant pathogens, especially in coastal areas of developing countries that are more affected by tropical storms than others. There is an increasing need to strengthen climate change mitigation measures and take effective measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, which contribute to rising average global temperatures.

This highlights the importance of taking preventive action to improve management of water resources and sanitation systems, and to promote awareness about the health impacts of climate change. These efforts are a critical part of addressing the public health challenges of continuing climate change.

Source: al-ain