Prof. Dr. Ahmet Özbek: “Global Warming Opens the Door to New Epidemics”

Prof. Dr. Ahmet Özbek warned that global warming not only increases temperatures but also increases the rate of spread of infectious diseases and has serious effects on human health. “If we do not fight the climate crisis, we may face a new pandemic. With the increase in temperatures, diseases such as malaria, dengue and West Nile virus may become more common.”

Global warming has become one of the most pressing and important environmental issues of our time. Although scientists, governments and non-governmental organizations around the world are focusing on the issue, unfortunately, measures are still not sufficient. Moreover, the rapidly increasing effects of global warming are not limited to environmental disasters. According to experts, climate change may increase the rate of spread of infectious diseases, leading to the emergence of new epidemics around the world. Prof. Dr. Ahmet Özbek, Head of the Department of Medical Microbiology at Altınbaş University, gave information about the effects of global warming on health and the measures to be taken in this regard, and emphasized that global warming together with the climate crisis paves the way for new dangers awaiting the world. Prof. Dr. Ahmet Özbek stated that global warming is not only limited to temperature increase, but also poses serious threats to human health by increasing the rate of spread of infectious diseases and said, “Global warming is at the center of climate change and this situation seriously increases the risk of spread of infectious diseases.”

“The atmosphere is being polluted by human hands and ruthlessly, carbon dioxide emissions reached 46. 2 billion tons in 2022”

Stating that the increase in the average surface temperature of the earth disrupts the energy balance that supports life, Prof. Dr. Ahmet Özbek said that carbon dioxide, methane and fluorinated gases released into the atmosphere accelerate the warming of the earth and that this situation leads to the deterioration of the natural balance and its effects are felt all over the world. Prof. Dr. Özbek said, “The atmosphere is being polluted by human hands and ruthlessly. The amount of greenhouse gases released by human impact is like a 'camel's ear' compared to the amount of emissions of natural disasters. In 2022, the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere by humans is 37 billion tons, and when methane and fluorinated gases are added to this, the figure reaches 46.2 billion tons. This is happening at a rate that nature cannot cope with in its own cycle.”

“Temperatures accelerate the life cycle of disease-carrying organisms”

Prof. Dr. Özbek emphasized that global warming also accelerates the spread of infectious diseases and continued his speech as follows

“Infectious diseases are diseases that can spread rapidly from one person to others. With the effect of global warming, it is not difficult to predict that the rates of such diseases will increase significantly. In particular, rising sea levels and increasing surface temperatures may facilitate the spread of Vibrio bacteria, causing diseases such as cholera to become more common.”

“Global warming could also increase the speed at which flu outbreaks spread. H5N1 and H7N9 avian influenza viruses like warm and humid weather conditions. Under these conditions, flu outbreaks are likely to reach epidemic levels. In addition, rising temperatures accelerate the life cycle of vectors, i.e. disease-carrying organisms. Diseases such as West Nile Virus, Yellow Fever, Dengue Fever and Zika Virus can spread to larger areas through mosquitoes. Diseases such as malaria and leishmaniasis will also become more widespread through vectors.”

“Increased ultraviolet radiation could make infectious diseases more deadly”

Stating that increasing ultraviolet rays weaken the resistance of the skin, which is the first line of defense of the immune system, Prof. Dr. Özbek said that this facilitates the entry of microorganisms into the body. “It will be difficult for our immune system to adapt to these new conditions. This can cause infectious diseases such as tuberculosis to become more deadly. Tuberculosis still ranks first in infection-related deaths and may become even more dangerous with the effect of global warming.”

“Urgent measures need to be taken at individual and social level”

Finally, underlining again that the climate crisis is not only an environmental problem, but also a crisis that threatens human health, Prof. Dr. Ahmet Özbek from Altınbaş University said, “Our body, which is used to maintaining its existence in a balance with the ecosystem, will make a readjustment with the disruption of this balance. However, this process will be much more challenging for human beings. Urgent measures need to be taken at the individual and societal level to prevent this catastrophe and mitigate its effects.”