Researchers from the University of Surrey have found that climate change affects the spread of Salmonella, a bacteria causing food poisoning. The study, conducted by Surrey's School of Veterinary Medicine, examined how weather factors influence Salmonella transmission, a major cause of foodborne illnesses in Europe.
Salmonella, found in animal and human intestines, can contaminate food if not properly cooked or handled, leading to symptoms like diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps. The study, published in the Journal of Infection, analyzed data from the UK Health Security Agency and the Met Office, focusing on 14 weather factors from 2000 to 2016 in England and Wales.
Key weather factors linked to increased Salmonella cases include warmer temperatures (above 10°C), relative humidity, dewpoint temperature (7-10°C), and longer daylight hours (12-15 hours). These findings were confirmed with data from the Netherlands.
Dr. Gianni Lo Iacono, a Senior Lecturer at the University of Surrey, noted the model's potential for application in other European and high-income countries. Dr. Laura Gonzalez Villeta, the study's first author, emphasized the role of weather in Salmonella outbreaks and the importance of predicting future risks in the context of climate change.
The University of Surrey is a school in England where people go to learn and do research. It's like a big college where smart people study different subjects.
Climate change means the Earth's weather is changing over time, mostly because of things people do, like using cars and factories. It can make the Earth warmer and cause different weather patterns.
Salmonella is a type of bacteria that can make people sick if it gets into their food. It can cause stomach problems like pain and diarrhea.
Food poisoning happens when you eat food that has harmful germs, like bacteria, which make you feel sick. It can cause stomach aches, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Humidity is how much water is in the air. When it's humid, the air feels wet and sticky, like during the monsoon season in India.
Daylight is the time during the day when the sun is shining and it's bright outside. Longer daylight means the sun is out for more hours.
Dr. Gianni Lo Iacono and Dr. Laura Gonzalez Villeta are scientists who study how things like weather and germs affect our health. They work at the University of Surrey.
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