**3. Climate change and rare disease occurrence**

Literature documentation on potential and prevalence of infectious disease as a result of climate variability exist. Infectious disease occurrence history is rooted in geography and prevalent in places with hot and wet weather [22], likewise in global warming episodes, it is expected that diseases will spread further as it play role in the widespread emergence, resurgence, and redistribution of infectious diseases. Most commonly, insects transmitted diseases are highly sensitive to variations in climate alternation. Included in this category are the vector–borne communicable diseases like dengue, malaria, hantavirus, and cholera, others are salmonellosis, cholera, and giardiasis [23]. Temperature variation may likely cause changes in the life cycle of pathogens as it can cause death of pathogens. Again, elevated temperatures have been documented to affect the fertility and sporogony of microorganisms [24]. Changes in climatic parameters such as humidity, amount, volume, and duration of rainfall may

#### *Introductory Chapter: Possible Occupational, Technological and Climatic Contributions to Rare... DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.111699*

influence distribution of waterborne pathogens that are prevalent in the rainy season. In extremely high-temperature duration that can cause drought, the water resources of the given location tend to decrease and concentrate, and effluent waterborne pathogens rise in amount and effect [25]. Infectious diseases are also influenced by atmospheric water (humidity) vapor, a well-known example is the influenza virus transmission and rate of survival. An important fact about climate change's impact on infectious diseases is that it cannot be generalized, the effect peculiar to a given environment may differ from another as climatic factor change. Microclimate may have profound effect on hosts housing disease pathogens as well as host. Pattern of changes in population and geographical location influences insect vector that is strictly associated with pattern and variation in climates, small scaled environment (microenvironment) may act as a shield to contain disease vector/host, for the fact that microclimate variation is insignificant but on large-scale climate differences over regional influence scenario may differ [26]. A localized environment of extreme heat may have heat rash, heat edema, heat syncope, cramps, exhaustion, life-threatening heatstroke, and other related ailments as major occurrences of diseases among the populace.

The book – Rare Disease is aimed at documenting information about certain diseases that occasionally occur or may be strange, it may have been witnessed before or reemerged, and it will espouse its fatalities, treatment options, and its containment. It will contain information on possible causes or outbreaks, point of its discovery, nature of the disease, infection rate, possible causative agents and life span, and information about conditions enabling its spread. The book will contain information on effect of the disease on age group, color, sex, and occupation. Climate and environmental parameters that aid survival of causative organisms and their transmission will be discussed. The book will also contain information on cultural practices that exacerbate the outbreak, progression, and fatalities of disease. Finally, the book will contain information on drugs, herbal products, and supplements for treatment. Possible patient medical history and genetic makeup in relation to the disease can be important information. Advise on personal and community hygiene for effective prevention and treatment in an emerging scenario. Public health and policymakers' responsibility in prevention and management of outbreaks of rare diseases to ensure minimal fatalities will be highlighted.
