Climate change is opening new routes for the spread of infectious diseases such as brucellosis, tularemia, and E. coli in the Arctic, according to a new study by an international team of experts in human, animal, and environmental health. The findings, published in Science of the Total Environment, highlight how rising temperatures are transforming the once-isolated Arctic into a region increasingly exposed to health risks.
As Arctic ice continues to melt, new areas are becoming accessible for human activity, including travel, industry, and settlement. This increased presence raises the likelihood of contact between people and wildlife, creating more opportunities for the transmission of zoonotic diseases—those capable of jumping from animals to humans.
One of the most pressing concerns outlined in the study is the thawing of permafrost—soil that has remained frozen for thousands of years. The melting of this ancient ground could release long-dormant microbes preserved in the remains of animals, plants, and other organisms, some of which may pose serious health risks.
"Permafrost thawing could even release ancient bacteria or viruses that have been frozen for millennia," said Dr. Khaled Megahed Abass of the University of Sharjah, a co-author of the study. "With more people and industries moving into the Arctic, the potential for disease transmission is growing."
The research draws on a wide range of scientific studies and government documents from regions across the Arctic, including Canada, Alaska, Greenland, and Northern Europe. It underscores the need for a unified "One Health" approach—an integrated framework that considers human, animal, and environmental health together—to understand and address the growing threat of zoonotic diseases in the circumpolar north.
“Our goal was to examine how the past can inform future preparedness for Arctic communities facing health threats,” said Dr. Abass. “Climate change and pollution are not just environmental issues—they’re also public health concerns that affect both humans and animals.”
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The study explains how warming temperatures are disrupting Arctic ecosystems, changing migration patterns and bringing humans and wildlife into closer contact. These changes can facilitate the spread of pathogens, which may be bacterial, viral, parasitic, or even unconventional agents transmitted through air, water, or food sources.
Crucially, the authors emphasize the importance of better surveillance, public awareness, and policy coordination to manage the risk of emerging diseases with epidemic or even pandemic potential. They urge proactive measures to monitor environmental changes and their links to health outcomes in Arctic communities.
As climate change continues to accelerate, the authors warn that the Arctic may become an emerging front in the global battle against infectious diseases. Their study offers a call to action: to prepare for these future threats through cross-disciplinary collaboration and a commitment to understanding the deep connections between climate, ecosystems, and health.