Journal of Bacteriology & Parasitology

Impact of Climate Change on the Transmission Dynamics of Fasciolopsiasis

Naomi Marion^* Department of Environment, University of York, York, United Kingdom
^*Correspondence: Naomi Marion, Department of Environment, University of York, York, United Kingdom, Email:

Received: 23-Oct-2023, Manuscript No. JBP-23-23415; Editor assigned: 27-Oct-2023, Pre QC No. JBP-23-23415 (PQ); Reviewed: 10-Nov-2023, QC No. JBP-23-23415; Revised: 17-Nov-2023, Manuscript No. JBP-23-23415 (R); Published: 24-Nov-2023, DOI: 10.35248/2155-9597.23.14.488

Description

Fasciolopsiasis is a neglected tropical disease caused by the infection of the intestinal fluke Fasciolopsis buski. It is endemic in some parts of Asia, especially India, Bangladesh, China, and Thailand, where people consume raw or undercooked aquatic plants contaminated with the parasite’s metacercariae. The disease affects mainly children and causes malnutrition, anaemia, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, and sometimes intestinal obstruction or perforation.

The transmission dynamics of fasciolopsiasis are influenced by various environmental factors, such as temperature, humidity, rainfall, vegetation, and water quality. These factors affect the survival and reproduction of the parasite and its intermediate hosts, which are freshwater snails of the family Lymnaeidae. Climate change can alter these factors and thus affect the epidemiology and distribution of fasciolopsiasis.

Impacts of climate change on the transmission dynamics of fasciolopsiasis

Increased temperature: Higher temperatures can increase the metabolic rate and development of the parasite and its snail hosts, leading to faster maturation and higher infectivity. Higher temperatures can also extend the transmission season and expand the geographic range of the parasite and its hosts. However, extreme temperatures can also reduce the survival and reproduction of the parasite and its hosts, leading to lower transmission rates.

Increased rainfall: Higher rainfall can increase the availability and quality of water sources for the parasite and its hosts, leading to higher transmission rates. Higher rainfall can also increase the growth and abundance of aquatic plants that serve as sources of infection for humans. However, excessive rainfall can also cause flooding and waterlogging, which can reduce the oxygen levels and increase the organic matter in water sources, leading to lower survival and reproduction of the parasite and its hosts.

Increased humidity: Higher humidity can increase the moisture content of aquatic plants that harbor the parasite’s metacercariae, leading to higher viability and infectivity. Higher humidity can also reduce the evaporation and desiccation of water sources for the parasite and its hosts, leading to higher transmission rates. However, extreme humidity can also increase the risk of fungal and bacterial infections for the parasite and its hosts, leading to lower survival and reproduction.

Increased vegetation: Higher vegetation can increase the availability and diversity of aquatic plants that serve as sources of infection for humans, leading to higher transmission rates. Higher vegetation can also provide shade and shelter for the parasite and its hosts, leading to higher survival and reproduction. However, excessive vegetation can also reduce the light penetration and increase the competition in water sources for the parasite and its hosts, leading to lower transmission rates.

Climate change can have both positive and negative effects on the transmission dynamics of fasciolopsiasis, depending on the magnitude and direction of change in environmental factors. However, in general, climate change is expected to increase the risk of fasciolopsiasis infection in endemic areas and introduce the disease to new regions. Therefore, it is important to implement mitigation strategies to reduce the impact of climate change on fasciolopsiasis transmission.

Some possible mitigation strategies

• Improving surveillance and monitoring of fasciolopsiasis cases and outbreaks, as well as the distribution and abundance of the parasite and its intermediate hosts, snails. This can help in early detection and timely intervention of fasciolopsiasis transmission, as well as in assessing the effects of climate change on the disease epidemiology.

• Enhancing prevention and control measures for fasciolopsiasis, such as improving sanitation and hygiene, avoiding consumption of raw or undercooked aquatic plants, treating infected animals and humans with anthelmintic drugs, and implementing snail control programs. These measures can help in reducing the exposure and transmission of fasciolopsiasis, as well as in limiting the reservoirs and sources of infection.

• Increasing awareness and education of the public and health workers about fasciolopsiasis, its symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and control, as well as the potential impact of climate change on the disease transmission. This can help in increasing the knowledge and behavior change of the population at risk, as well as in improving the diagnosis and treatment of fasciolopsiasis cases.

• Promoting adaptation and resilience of the communities and ecosystems affected by fasciolopsiasis and climate change, such as improving food security, water quality, biodiversity, and livelihoods. These actions can help in enhancing the health and well-being of the people and animals living in fasciolopsiasis -endemic areas, as well as in reducing their vulnerability to climate change.

These are some of the possible mitigation strategies that can help in reducing the impact of climate change on fasciolopsiasis transmission. However, more research and collaboration are needed to develop and implement effective and sustainable interventions for this neglected tropical disease.

In conclusion, climate change can have both positive and negative effects on the transmission dynamics of fasciolopsiasis, depending on the magnitude and direction of change in environmental factors. A better understanding of these effects can help in developing effective strategies for diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and control of this neglected tropical disease.