Issue link: https://hi.iaq.net/i/191637
Climate Change, the Indoor Environment, and Health INFECTIOUS AGENTS AND PESTS 175 Research Needs and Surveillance Regarding Climate and Infectious Diseases from the Report Under the Weather: Climate, Ecosystems, and Infectious Diseases • • • • • R esearch on the linkages between climate and infectious diseases must be strengthened. F urther development of disease transmission models is needed to assess the risks posed by climatic and ecological changes. E pidemiological surveillance programs should be strengthened. O bservational, experimental, and modeling activities are all highly interdependent and must progress in a coordinated fashion. R esearch on climate and infectious disease linkages inherently requires interdisciplinary collaboration. Other Conclusions In addition, on the basis of its review of the papers, reports, and other information presented in this chapter, the present committee has reached the following conclusions regarding infectious agents and pests: • • • • M ore investigation is needed to determine the extent to which the critical aspects of influenza spread are determined by indoor vs outdoor environmental conditions. It should consider air conditioning, which affects indoor temperature and humidity, and geographic location because there may be salient differences among regions in viral and human biology. T he ecologic niches for house dust mites will change in response to climate change. Locations that are hotter and drier and that have increased use of air conditioning will tend to have fewer dust mite infestations. Decreased use of heating systems in winter because of milder conditions may result in increased dust mite populations. D ecreases in dust mite populations in some locations may lower the incidence of allergic reactions to dust mites, but the overall incidence of allergic disease may not go down, because those who are predisposed to allergies may become sensitized to other air contaminants. C limate change may also lead to shifting patterns of indoor exposure to pesticides as occupants and building owners respond to infestations of pests whose ranges have changed. Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.