Poland has been facing an influx of insects, as they migrate north amid heightened global temperatures and an upswing in precipitation, according to Polish weekly Polityka.
The changing climate conditions in Poland now provide a habitat for southern species of mantises, crickets, locusts and wasps.
Chinese wolf spider
Yet, what one might find more disturbing is the potential inflow of venomous spiders, such as the Chinese wolf spider, also known in Poland as ‘the Ukrainian tarantula.’
The eight-legged creature typically inhabits the Pontic-Caspian steppe and in principle doesn’t cross the Carpathians, a mountain range making up Poland’s southern border.
Nonetheless, some sightings of the species have already been reported in Poland and it is soon expected to set up a permanent home on Polish territory.
Dengue fever, West Nile fever, cholera
At the same time, Poles might in the long run be at risk for tropical diseases of Dengue fever and West Nile fever.
The ongoing climatic fluctuations foster the development of vector-borne diseases, as the range of mosquitoes and ticks is expanding, the Nauka w Polsce (Science in Poland) website reported, citing Poland's Institute of Environmental Protection (IOŚ).
Every year, some 600,000 people die of malaria, Lyme disease, West Nile fever and other diseases transmitted between animals and humans, according to United Nations data.
It is also alarming that the water temperature is on the rise, ramping up the risk of bacterial growth, which in turn could lead to cases of cholera or Legionnaire’s disease.
As IOŚ underlined, climate change can also negatively impact a country’s food security, social structure and economic well-being.
(pjm/pm)
Source: Polityka, naukawpolsce.pl