Extreme weather may increase salmonella infections: 6 things to know

Extreme heat and precipitation, which are expected to rise due to climate change, are associated with increased risk of salmonella infections, according to researchers from the University of Maryland School of Public Health.

Here are six things to know:

1. Extremely hot days and periods of extreme precipitation are contributing to salmonella infections in Maryland, as well as in coastal communities, according to Amir Sapkota, PhD, associate professor in the Maryland Institute for Applied Environmental Health.

2. The Salmonella bacteria cause about 1.2 million cases of acute gastroenteritis in the United States annually.

3. Extreme weather was identified between 2002 to 2012 and linked with salmonella infections data.

4. Researchers that a one-unit increase in extreme heat and precipitation was associated with 4.1 percent and 5.6 percent increases in the risk of salmonellosis, respectively.

5. The observed risk was considerably higher in coastal areas compared to non-coastal areas of the state.

6. The findings were published in Environment International, and you can read the findings here.

Copyright © 2024 Becker's Healthcare. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy. Cookie Policy. Linking and Reprinting Policy.

 


Patient Safety Tools & Resources Database

Featured Webinars

Featured Whitepapers

Featured Podcast