Introduction

Epidemiologic Triangle

Changes in the Environment

Changes in the Agent

Changes in the Host/Vector

Seasonality of Infectious Diseases

Conclusion

References

Abstract

A changing climate may alter the expected patterns of infectious disease emergence in North America, requiring nurse practitioners to become familiar with these changes in infectious disease emergence in their local communities. This report reviews how potential climate change might affect seasonal patterns of infectious diseases, including the impact on the agents that cause them and alterations in host behaviors/the environment that may modify the pattern of infectious diseases locally. This knowledge base will aid nurse practitioners in making accurate diagnosis/treatment plans for diseases they may not be familiar with currently

Introduction

According to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),“there is widespread scientific consensus that the world’s climate is changing.” ۱ The CDC also states in its policy that changes in climate have the “potential to negatively affect health” through more variable weather conditions that will “vary across geographic regions and populations.” ۱ One example of climate effects on health includes increases in the incidence, rate of new cases of a disease, or emergence, defined as introduction of a new disease in an area not seen before, of infectious diseases. Recent examples of these trends in North America include emergence of chikungunya and Zika virus in Florida2,3 and increases in cases of hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome related to El Nino events in ~ the Colorado Plateau.4 Nurse practitioners (NPs) on the front lines of primary care and emergency medicine need to understand the epidemiology and pathophysiology of infectious diseases circulating in their communities as well as trends in infectious diseases spread by travel to be aware of how potential climate change may impact infectious disease trends in the local community. This knowledge will help guide their recognition and evaluation of patients. Primary care patients often present with nonspecific symptoms of an infectious disease and require a prompt and accurate diagnosis to initiate treatment. In addition, this awareness will help initiate early public health prevention actions to prevent the further spread of the infectious agent. The threat of climate change also holds within it an opportunity to strengthen and bolster our health systems. Health resiliency can be enhanced through a better understanding of the emerging infectious diseases that may arise and careful preparation for their potentiality.