On a Friday evening, Sara, a 45-year-old single mother of 2 came into the emergency department exhausted, overwhelmed, and begging for help. Upon admission, the patient's liver function tests were markedly elevated, revealing a diagnosis of acute hepatitis A infection.
In recent years, Lebanon has faced significant economic and political challenges, which have had a profound impact on the country's infrastructure and public health systems. One of the pressing public health concerns in Lebanon is the outbreak of hepatitis A, which has been linked to poor sanitation and lack of access to clean water. The crisis has been exacerbated by the influx of refugees from neighboring countries, who have put a strain on the country's resources and infrastructure. As a result, many communities in Lebanon are facing severe shortages of clean water and adequate waste management, creating an ideal environment for the spread of infectious diseases like hepatitis A.
Climate change, which refers to long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns, has a profound impact on the transmission of food and water-borne diseases. Specifically, increased precipitation has caused a rise in outbreaks of these diseases due to several interconnected factors. To begin with, heavy rainfall can overwhelm water treatment facilities resulting in the contamination of water sources with pathogen-containing human waste. Additionally, flooding can lead to the forced displacement of populations from their homes into overcrowded shelters/camps further limiting access to clean water and reducing hygiene practices such as handwashing and proper food handling.
After years of fighting cholera, instances of this pathogen are surging again, even in countries that used to be considered cholera-free. This predicament can be totally prevented by the availability of clean water and right sanitation. Recently, a new factor has entered this equation which is "Climate Change''. Extreme climatic phenomena including floods and droughts have limited the public’s availability to fresh water and created mediums that favor the growth of this infectious microorganism. According to WHO, there was a 25% increase in cholera outbreaks from 2021 to 2022 where 44 countries have registered cholera outbreaks in their civilizations. Indeed, this trend still follows. Moreover, due to limited supplies of cholera vaccines, medical services, and multiple infectious diseases outbreaks, many countries are on the decline.
Climate change poses a significant menace to human well-being. Due to the limited water supply all over the world, hepatitis A is becoming more prevalent. This climatic change has enhanced the proliferation of this virus by altering environmental factors and limiting fresh water supplies, which led to the transmission of the virus through contaminated water. On October 6, 2023, the CDC reported 44915 cases across the US. There is a massive increase in the number of cases since 2016, and this is attributed to the evolving atmosphere dynamics. As climate change continues to influence our surroundings, it is critical to recognize its role in the rise and spread of pathogens like hepatitis A and take proactive measures to mitigate its effects on public health.
Efforts to address cholera and hepatitis A in the context of climate change require comprehensive strategies involving governments, international NGOs, and individuals. For cholera, initiatives include research, infrastructure development, healthcare strengthening, and collaboration at various levels. Hygiene education, community engagement, advocacy, and personal responsibility are essential on an individual level. Real-world examples from countries like Bangladesh, Haiti, and Zimbabwe demonstrate the effectiveness of these strategies. Similarly, for hepatitis A, initiatives focus on research, healthcare, policy enforcement, and individual actions like proper hygiene and vaccination. Real-world examples from Peru, India, and Brazil showcase collaborative efforts, emphasizing the importance of community engagement and personal responsibility. These multifaceted approaches underscore the significance of collaborative, educational, and individual efforts in combating waterborne diseases amidst changing climate patterns.
Some argue that investing in eco-friendly resources and proper waste disposal methods could be prohibitively expensive for governments and industries, including hospitals. The cost of transitioning to renewable energy sources, implementing sustainable water management practices, and investing in waste reduction and recycling programs can be substantial. Moreover, the cost of upgrading infrastructure and retrofitting buildings to meet new environmental standards can be daunting, especially for developing countries or those with limited financial resources. Additionally, the cost of disposing of medical waste in an environmentally friendly manner can be particularly challenging for hospitals, which generate large volumes of waste that must be disposed of safely. These costs can be difficult to absorb, especially for institutions with tight budgets and limited margins. Therefore, some argue that investing in climate resilience and public health infrastructure may not be feasible for many countries, given their existing economic constraints.
Indeed, the rise in Cholera cases as well as the continuous threat of Hepatitis A emphasize the pressing need for immediate action. Key players are governments, international NGOs, and individuals, all of which have a role to play in the management of the issue at hand. Stories from different countries have shown how mitigating the impact of these diseases and decreasing their prevalence is possible. It simply requires taking action as a united, global entity against these diseases in order to promote a healthier and safer world for us to live in.