Climate change and the global food chain: a catalyst for emerging infectious diseases?
Dublin Core
Title
Climate change and the global food chain: a catalyst for emerging infectious diseases?
Subject
Food-borne, Zoonotic spillover, Climate change, Antimicrobial resistance, One health
Description
Abstract
Background Climate change is disrupting the global food chain, affecting food production, delivery and safety.
Extreme weather events disrupt the quality of food and water, while rising temperatures accelerate the spread of
microbes. Habitat destruction also forces wildlife in close proximity to people, increasing the risk of zoonotic diseases.
Threatening global health seriously, these disturbances also increase the probability of infectious and food-borne
diseases.
Method A narrative review of literature data from WHO publications, Google Scholar and PubMed. The review
examines the impacts of climate change on agriculture, food supply systems, and the associated transmission of
infectious disease — specifically zoonotic and food-borne diseases.
Results As temperatures increase, the germs multiply easily — and the risk of E. coli and Salmonella goes up.
Waterborne diseases such as Norovirus and Hepatitis A are more likely to spread in typified extreme weather
conditions such as floods. Ecosystem changes push humans and animals into a closer relationship that can lead to
zoonotic spillovers, such as the Nipah virus and COVID-19. The growth of animal production and international trade
exacerbates antimicrobial resistance (AMR) issues, imposing challenges to disease control.
Conclusion Climate change is a critical public health emergency with risks of zoonotic and food-borne illnesses
alarmingly on the rise. This is an important step toward a One Health approach, which also addresses the integration
of human, animal, and environmental health, as well as strengthens food safety regulations and enhances disease
surveillance. It needs immediate international cooperation to construct a robust and sustainable food system that
reduces health hazards.
Clinical trial number Not applicable.
Keywords Food-borne, Zoonotic spillover, Climate change, Antimicrobial resistance, One health
Background Climate change is disrupting the global food chain, affecting food production, delivery and safety.
Extreme weather events disrupt the quality of food and water, while rising temperatures accelerate the spread of
microbes. Habitat destruction also forces wildlife in close proximity to people, increasing the risk of zoonotic diseases.
Threatening global health seriously, these disturbances also increase the probability of infectious and food-borne
diseases.
Method A narrative review of literature data from WHO publications, Google Scholar and PubMed. The review
examines the impacts of climate change on agriculture, food supply systems, and the associated transmission of
infectious disease — specifically zoonotic and food-borne diseases.
Results As temperatures increase, the germs multiply easily — and the risk of E. coli and Salmonella goes up.
Waterborne diseases such as Norovirus and Hepatitis A are more likely to spread in typified extreme weather
conditions such as floods. Ecosystem changes push humans and animals into a closer relationship that can lead to
zoonotic spillovers, such as the Nipah virus and COVID-19. The growth of animal production and international trade
exacerbates antimicrobial resistance (AMR) issues, imposing challenges to disease control.
Conclusion Climate change is a critical public health emergency with risks of zoonotic and food-borne illnesses
alarmingly on the rise. This is an important step toward a One Health approach, which also addresses the integration
of human, animal, and environmental health, as well as strengthens food safety regulations and enhances disease
surveillance. It needs immediate international cooperation to construct a robust and sustainable food system that
reduces health hazards.
Clinical trial number Not applicable.
Keywords Food-borne, Zoonotic spillover, Climate change, Antimicrobial resistance, One health
Creator
Courage Chandipwisa1,2, Olivier Uwishema1* , Adisalem Debebe1,3, Malaz M. Abdalmotalib1,4, Reem Barakat1,5,
Abdu Oumer1,3, Mosopefoluwa John1,6, Luboom Taa1,7 and Helen Onyeaka8
Abdu Oumer1,3, Mosopefoluwa John1,6, Luboom Taa1,7 and Helen Onyeaka8
Source
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12245-025-00901-8
Date
2025
Contributor
Peri Irawan
Format
pdf
Language
english
Type
text
Files
Collection
Citation
Courage Chandipwisa1,2, Olivier Uwishema1* , Adisalem Debebe1,3, Malaz M. Abdalmotalib1,4, Reem Barakat1,5,
Abdu Oumer1,3, Mosopefoluwa John1,6, Luboom Taa1,7 and Helen Onyeaka8, “Climate change and the global food chain: a catalyst for emerging infectious diseases?,” Repository Horizon University Indonesia, accessed April 11, 2026, https://repository.horizon.ac.id/items/show/12807.