Effects of the 2018 European summer heatwave on the incidence of sporadic bacterial gastroenteritis in a temperate maritime climate region (Republic of Ireland)

Background: The IPCC recognises that climate change and associated extreme weather events (EWEs), including heatwaves, will incur negative human health impacts. In Ireland, projections indicate more frequent and severe EWEs, however, research on the health impacts of heatwaves in temperate regions i...

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Main Authors: Martin Boudou, Patricia Garvey, Coilín ÓhAiseadha, Jean O'Dwyer, Daniel T. Burke, Paul Hynds
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-06-01
Series:One Health
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352771425001417
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author Martin Boudou
Patricia Garvey
Coilín ÓhAiseadha
Jean O'Dwyer
Daniel T. Burke
Paul Hynds
author_facet Martin Boudou
Patricia Garvey
Coilín ÓhAiseadha
Jean O'Dwyer
Daniel T. Burke
Paul Hynds
author_sort Martin Boudou
collection DOAJ
description Background: The IPCC recognises that climate change and associated extreme weather events (EWEs), including heatwaves, will incur negative human health impacts. In Ireland, projections indicate more frequent and severe EWEs, however, research on the health impacts of heatwaves in temperate regions is still in its infancy. Purpose/aims/objectives: We aimed to analyse the spatiotemporal characteristics of two bacterial infections (STEC enteritis and campylobacteriosis) to quantify the public health effects of the 2018 European summer heatwave in Ireland. Materials and methods: Additive decomposition and Interrupted Time-Series Analyses (ITSA) were used to quantify effects. Excess weekly cases were calculated based on pre/post-event conditions across several case delineations (e.g., gender, age, serotype and settlement pattern. Results: Findings suggest that the summer 2018 heatwave was responsible for a minimum of 169 excess case notifications of campylobacteriosis (n = 101) and STEC enteritis (n = 68). Heatwave effects were immediate (i.e., within 10 days, p = 0.0019) on campylobacteriosis cases. Significant increases were observed among males, younger adults, and urban residents. STEC enteritis notification did not immediately change, but lagged effects (≥4 weeks, p < 0.001) were noted, with significant case notification increases identified among older adults (>65 years) and rural dwellers, alongside a notable increase in STEC O26 cases (p = 0.026). Conclusions: Conditions during the 2018 European summer heatwave facilitated increased case numbers of STEC enteritis and campylobacteriosis across Ireland, in concurrence with shifting demographic and geographic transmission patterns. With climate change likely favouring bacterial proliferation, further increases and pattern shifts are expected.
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spelling doaj-art-7e76f30b61a14153a0386d1d4fcffef12025-08-20T02:36:19ZengElsevierOne Health2352-77142025-06-012010110510.1016/j.onehlt.2025.101105Effects of the 2018 European summer heatwave on the incidence of sporadic bacterial gastroenteritis in a temperate maritime climate region (Republic of Ireland)Martin Boudou0Patricia Garvey1Coilín ÓhAiseadha2Jean O'Dwyer3Daniel T. Burke4Paul Hynds5Health Information and Equality Authority, Dublin, IrelandHealth Protection Surveillance Centre, Dublin, IrelandDepartment of Public Health, Health Service Executive (HSE), Dr. Steevens' Hospital, Dublin, IrelandSchool of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Environmental Research Institute (ERI), University College Cork, Cork, IrelandEnvironmental Sustainability &amp; Health Institute (ESHI), Dublin, IrelandEnvironmental Sustainability &amp; Health Institute (ESHI), Dublin, Ireland; Corresponding author.Background: The IPCC recognises that climate change and associated extreme weather events (EWEs), including heatwaves, will incur negative human health impacts. In Ireland, projections indicate more frequent and severe EWEs, however, research on the health impacts of heatwaves in temperate regions is still in its infancy. Purpose/aims/objectives: We aimed to analyse the spatiotemporal characteristics of two bacterial infections (STEC enteritis and campylobacteriosis) to quantify the public health effects of the 2018 European summer heatwave in Ireland. Materials and methods: Additive decomposition and Interrupted Time-Series Analyses (ITSA) were used to quantify effects. Excess weekly cases were calculated based on pre/post-event conditions across several case delineations (e.g., gender, age, serotype and settlement pattern. Results: Findings suggest that the summer 2018 heatwave was responsible for a minimum of 169 excess case notifications of campylobacteriosis (n = 101) and STEC enteritis (n = 68). Heatwave effects were immediate (i.e., within 10 days, p = 0.0019) on campylobacteriosis cases. Significant increases were observed among males, younger adults, and urban residents. STEC enteritis notification did not immediately change, but lagged effects (≥4 weeks, p < 0.001) were noted, with significant case notification increases identified among older adults (>65 years) and rural dwellers, alongside a notable increase in STEC O26 cases (p = 0.026). Conclusions: Conditions during the 2018 European summer heatwave facilitated increased case numbers of STEC enteritis and campylobacteriosis across Ireland, in concurrence with shifting demographic and geographic transmission patterns. With climate change likely favouring bacterial proliferation, further increases and pattern shifts are expected.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352771425001417EpidemiologyClimate changeExtreme weatherHeatwaveSTEC enteritisCampylobacteriosis
spellingShingle Martin Boudou
Patricia Garvey
Coilín ÓhAiseadha
Jean O'Dwyer
Daniel T. Burke
Paul Hynds
Effects of the 2018 European summer heatwave on the incidence of sporadic bacterial gastroenteritis in a temperate maritime climate region (Republic of Ireland)
One Health
Epidemiology
Climate change
Extreme weather
Heatwave
STEC enteritis
Campylobacteriosis
title Effects of the 2018 European summer heatwave on the incidence of sporadic bacterial gastroenteritis in a temperate maritime climate region (Republic of Ireland)
title_full Effects of the 2018 European summer heatwave on the incidence of sporadic bacterial gastroenteritis in a temperate maritime climate region (Republic of Ireland)
title_fullStr Effects of the 2018 European summer heatwave on the incidence of sporadic bacterial gastroenteritis in a temperate maritime climate region (Republic of Ireland)
title_full_unstemmed Effects of the 2018 European summer heatwave on the incidence of sporadic bacterial gastroenteritis in a temperate maritime climate region (Republic of Ireland)
title_short Effects of the 2018 European summer heatwave on the incidence of sporadic bacterial gastroenteritis in a temperate maritime climate region (Republic of Ireland)
title_sort effects of the 2018 european summer heatwave on the incidence of sporadic bacterial gastroenteritis in a temperate maritime climate region republic of ireland
topic Epidemiology
Climate change
Extreme weather
Heatwave
STEC enteritis
Campylobacteriosis
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352771425001417
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