Possible Impact of Climate Change on Neglected Tropical Diseases
Partners
Evidence for Development (EfD)
Funders
Wilkie Calvert co-supported PhD studentships
Timescale
Project Team
Will Shields, PhD Candidate, Walker Institute
Supervisors: Prof. Rosalind Cornforth, Walker Institute; Dr Celia Petty, Walker Institute; Prof. Ted Shepherd, University of Reading; Ian Wilson, Deloitte;
Background
Neglected Tropical Diseases are often spread by biological vectors such as black flies or snails and their fluke parasites. Climate Change is changing the areas in which these animals can survive and thrive, creating the possibility for new epidemics of these debilitating and potentially fatal diseases in areas which have not been exposed before and thus are unprepared.
Our Research
In this project we aim to use causal assessments of the lifecycle of these animals, linked to granular climate forecasts to assess how their zones of prevalence are likely to evolve over the coming century.
Our Research
In this project we aim to use causal assessments of the lifecycle of these animals, linked to granular climate forecasts to assess how their zones of prevalence are likely to evolve over the coming century.
Our Impact
The project has two key goals:
- to provide an early warning indicator to possibly affected regions, and
- to provide a methodology which others can utilise to assess the specific risks of particular locations.
