Crypto Climate Creep: The Movement of Tropical Infectious Disease to the Arctic
2019
This case from the Western Public Health Casebooks 2019 examines the emergence of new infectious diseases in Northern Canada due to climate change. The case follows Dr. Jacob Sanders as he falls ill after the Inuvik Sunrise Festival. He originally believed that his illness was due to food poisoning, but after samples are sent to the lab it is discovered that he has cryptosporidiosis. Cryptosporidiosis is a zoonotic infection that is transmitted via microscopic parasite that can contaminate food and water sources. It is also a disease that is unknown to the Inuvik region and has been nearly unseen for a decade. The Centre for Food-borne, Environmental and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases at the Public Health Agency of Canada is looking to mitigate the effects of infectious diseases in Canada, especially in the artic regions.
This case contains guidance for instructors, including learning objectives and discussion questions. It is part of a 14-case collection written by students in the MPH class of the Schulich Interfaculty Program in Public Health at Western University, Canada. The cases may be freely copied and used for educational purposes by an accredited educational institution.
Crypto Climate Creep: The Movement of Tropical Infectious Disease to the Arctic
Source:
Singh Sachal S et al. Crypto Climate Creep: The Movement of Tropical Infectious Disease to the Arctic. Western Public Health Casebook 2019. Public Health Casebook Publishing 2019. https://www.schulich.uwo.ca/publichealth/cases/casebook_2019.html.