Barcelona Institute of Global Health study links El Niño events to significant cholera outbreaks and warns of potential emergence of new strains.
A study from the Barcelona Institute of Global Health warns that climate anomalies, such as El Niño events, may trigger significant cholera outbreaks, with researchers finding a direct link between these climate events and the ability of cholera to spread. Historical weather data analysis revealed a strong correlation between El Niño events and heightened transmission and variation of the disease. As the planet warms due to human-induced climate change, this connection could be key in forecasting unusual surges of the lethal disease. The study also cautions that there might be another climate-related danger: the emergence of new cholera strains that could elude current medical interventions.