United States: A new report indicated that rising temperatures would enhance Salmonella transmission throughout extensive geographical regions.
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The research established that Salmonella infection rates might rise when temperatures surpass 50°F while dew point temperatures fall within 44.6°F to 50°F range during daylight hours that extend beyond 12 to 15 hours combined with high relative humidity levels.
The Salmonella bacterium represents the main source responsible for all food poisoning cases. People transmit the Salmonella bacterium that exists within human and animal digestive tracts when they handle raw materials through physical contact.
As Dr. Laura Gonzalez Villeta, a researcher at the University of Surrey in England and lead author of the new study, stated, “The study highlights how weather plays a significant role in Salmonella outbreaks and provides a valuable tool for predicting future risks and tailoring interventions, particularly in the context of climate change,” studyfinds.org reported.
How was the study conducted?
The UK Health Security Agency data provided statistics on Salmonella infection rates at 144,703 cases throughout England and Wales between 2000 and 2016.
Data regarding the outbreak timing was gathered for 14 weather-related factors. The researchers indicate that multiple data points generate a comprehensive view of what causes Salmonella outbreaks to increase.
Furthermore, “The model we used to analyze the data shows promise, as the findings were replicated across England, Wales and, independently, in the Netherlands, suggesting a potential for wider application in other European and high-income countries to help gain new insights on the incidence of Salmonella,” Villeta described.
“It would be interesting to investigate this in regions with very different environmental and socio-economic characteristics, like tropical countries,” he added.
Among the weather factors that contribute most to salmonella outbreak frequency, we find rising temperatures along with increased humidity reduced rainfall and lengthening daylight hours, studyfinds.org reported.
The variables affecting Salmonella cases increased by air pressure and wind speed together with temperature amplitude and sunshine duration demonstrated weaker relationships when compared to temperature and day length effects.
The researchers found that Salmonella increases had no geographical limitations.