Climate change as a danger: Is the next virus pandemic coming our way?

Climate change as a danger: Is the next virus pandemic coming our way?

In recent statements about possible future epidemics, Univ. Prof. Dr. Gerold Stanek from the Medical University of Vienna focused on the dangers posed by the dengue virus and bird flu. According to Stanek, an “influenza pandemic” could certainly be possible, especially in connection with climate change, which also promotes the spread of mosquitoes in Austria. As vectors, these mosquitoes pose a significant risk for the spread of dengue fever, which is why they should be under “special observation”. In an interview with the Austrian medical newspaper He stated that it is important to prepare for future virus groups and strengthen international cooperation in order to establish effective measures to prevent epidemics.

Risk of Lyme disease and important diagnoses

With regard to Lyme disease, Stanek explained that the possibility of infection exists in all Austrian federal states because all areas have suitable living conditions for ticks. He emphasized that the incidence of Lyme disease in Austria is on average 0.6 per 100,000 inhabitants per year, which corresponds to around 50,000 new cases annually. Particular attention should be paid to Lyme disease testing if typical skin symptoms such as erythema migrans occur - redness that usually only becomes visible a few days after a tick bite. In the case of a clear diagnosis, further tests are often not necessary, as he said in the interview with Austrian medical newspaper noted.

What is particularly alarming is that the risk of infection increases in humid areas where ticks prefer to live. Stanek emphasized that Borrelia is transmitted by ticks and that other insects such as mosquitoes or spiders are not responsible. The spread of Lyme disease could also be influenced by various factors, such as geographical differences and climatological changes, which require both research and preventive measures.