Environmental changes associated with climate warming pose urgent threats to wildlife health and biodiversity [1, 2]. Climate change has contributed globally to the spread of infectious diseases and other wildlife health issues, leading to population declines and cascading effects on ecosystems [1]. 

Climate change can impact disease spread among wildlife by altering animal migration and movement patterns, and promoting novel species interactions [1, 3] (Figure 1). Temperature and other environmental factors affect the persistence and distribution of many pathogens and parasites, making warming a significant factor [1] (Figure 2). Recent examples of climate-influenced disease outbreaks include avian malaria in Hawaiian birds due to expanding mosquito vector ranges [4] and the spread of phocine distemper in marine mammals due to range expansion and the loss of Arctic sea ice [5]. Climate change can also exacerbate disease spillover events between humans, domestic animals, and wildlife [3,5]. 

Climate-driven stressors, such as habitat degradation and food limitations, can impact overall animal health and immune function [6]. In addition, climate change affects wildlife exposure to toxins, contaminants, and anthropogenic disturbances. An example is the impact of ocean warming, which has increased the severity and frequency of toxin-producing harmful algal blooms in the Arctic. This creates hazards to marine wildlife as these biotoxins enter the food web [7].

At particular risk of climate change impacts are biodiversity hotspots (concentrated in the tropics) and rapidly warming regions (like the Arctic) [6]. Healthy wildlife populations are essential for resilient ecosystems and global biodiversity; human communities that rely heavily on wildlife resources also face additional economic, subsistence and cultural pressures [11]. It is crucial to address the intersections between climate change and wildlife health via a One Health approach to identify priority research areas and potential mitigation strategies [11]. WOAH is currently exploring ways to understand Members’ challenges, address climate change and provide support within its mandate [12].

 https://doi.org/10.20506/bull.2024.1.3498