In this Unit 5 Discussion Forum, you will participate in a discussion regarding human migration and climate change in the context of microbiology, noting their impacts on microorganisms and disease. Historically, the movement of people and goods up to and through the present day has served to introduce both disease vectors and microbes into non-endemic areas around the world. Presently, massive human migration, climate, and other environmental changes are predicted to globally impact the major microbial geochemical cycles and further affect the geographical distribution of disease-causing microorganisms, parasites, their vectors, and their human hosts.
The following articles provide background on the topics:
· Mora, C., McKenzie, T., Gaw, I.M. et al.
Over half of known human pathogenic diseases can be aggravated by climate change.
Nat. Clim. Chang. 2022;12: 869–875.
· Williams PC, Bartlett AW, Howard-Jones A, McMullan B, Khatami A, Britton PN, Marais BJ.
Impact of climate change and biodiversity collapse on the global emergence and spread of infectious diseases.
J Pediatr Child Health. 2021;57(11):1811-1818.
· Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Our risk for infectious disease is increasing because of climate change.
1. Define the term “climate change” and provide one example.
2. You are to describe one (1) example of a microorganism impacted by human climate change that you have read about and find a peer-reviewed article (from the last 3 years) reporting the results of a study of that microorganism and how climate change has affected it (or its vector); summarize the article, note the most interesting thing you learned from the article, and discuss future implications or directions for study regarding the microbe you chose.
3. To end (and to elicit a lively discussion), without researching the topic, give your personal opinion on whether climate change has an impact on the spread of infectious diseases and what type of mitigating action(s) might be taken to lessen that impact.
DISCUSSION PROMPT
Use the template below to build your discussion post (200-300 words in length, formatted in AMA format, and reference at least two sources).
Define Climate change-
Example:
Title of Article 1-
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Microorganism Impacted by Climate Change Picked- ______________________________ (description of the selected microbe, how the microbe itself or its vector is impacted by climate change, interesting thing you learned, future implications, actions, studies)-
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References-
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*What is your personal opinion on whether climate change has a significant impact on the spread of infectious diseases and what mitigating action(s) might be taken.
