Effects of precipitation on infectious diseases following typhoons

Francesca Prophete, Yen Cheng Tseng, How Ran Guo

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

Climatic changes are expected to introduce extreme weather events such as heavy precipitations, which might in turn contribute to the occurrence of infectious diseases. We conducted a study in Taiwan to evaluate the effects of precipitation following typhoons on the incidence of selected infectious diseases from 2006 to 2015, including acute viral hepatitis A, amoebiasis, enterovirus with severe complications, dengue fever, shigellosis, and scrub typhus. Using a governmental classification system, we stratified precipitation levels into “no precipitation,” “normal precipitation,” and “heavy precipitation.” We found that compared to no precipitation, normal precipitation was associated with increased risks of dengue fever (relative risk [RR]=1.19; 95% confidence interval [95%CI]: 1.12-1.27) and shigellosis (RR=1.59; 95% CI: 1.05-2.41). While heavy precipitation was associated with further increases in the risks, only the risk of dengue fever reached statistical significance (RR=2.15; 95%CI: 1.74-2.66). Public health practitioners should anticipate possible outbreaks of infectious diseases after typhoons.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication15th Conference of the International Society of Indoor Air Quality and Climate, INDOOR AIR 2018
PublisherInternational Society of Indoor Air Quality and Climate
ISBN (Electronic)9781713826514
Publication statusPublished - 2018
Event15th Conference of the International Society of Indoor Air Quality and Climate, INDOOR AIR 2018 - Philadelphia, United States
Duration: 2018 Jul 222018 Jul 27

Publication series

Name15th Conference of the International Society of Indoor Air Quality and Climate, INDOOR AIR 2018

Conference

Conference15th Conference of the International Society of Indoor Air Quality and Climate, INDOOR AIR 2018
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityPhiladelphia
Period18-07-2218-07-27

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Pollution

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