According to the Wildlife Conservation Society, a deadly dozen of diseases are more likely to be spread thanks to the warming climate.

According to Reuters, the society, who are based in the Bronx Zoo in America, are pushing for better wildlife health monitoring to help better understand how pathogens might spread in a warming environment. The 12 diseases they have listed are avian flu, tick-borne babesia, cholera, ebola, parasites, plague, lyme disease, red tides of algal blooms, Rift Valley fever, sleeping sickness, tuberculosis and yellow fever.

To many, mention the phrase ‘climate change’ or ‘global warming’ and most will think of ice melting, winters getting cooler and summers getting hotter, or rising sea levels, however the higher temperatures may bring additional dangers in the form of these pathogens. By monitoring wildlife health, it is hoped that scientists may be able to predict where trouble spots may occur, or catch outbreaks early enough that little damage is done, as well as helping to prepare plans in case of infection.

The Wildlife Conservation Society do not claim that their list is exhaustive, however it is an indicator of the range of diseases – that affect both human and animals – that may cause reason for concern in the future.

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