Description:

This session focuses on the impact of environmental factors such as climate change, ocean pollution, and natural disasters on the health of coastal and marine ecosystems, and the consequent risks of water-borne diseases (e.g. from Vibrio spp. infections). The presentations in this session may cover a range of topics, including the effects of warming waters on the prevalence of harmful algal blooms and the resulting risks to human and animal health, the role of coastal pollution in the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, and the impacts of sea level rise on the incidence of flooding and water-borne illnesses. This session provides an opportunity for experts in the fields of oceanography, environmental health, and public policy to come together and discuss the current state of knowledge, identify key research gaps, and explore solutions to mitigate the risks of water-borne diseases in coastal and marine environments.