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An increase in droughts could lead to more infectious diseases

A new study published in the journal Trends in Ecology & Evolution shows how a drier world can spread more parasites and deadly infections, defying the typical logic that droughts kill parasites which are dependent on water to survive.

Here & Now‘s Robin Young speaks with Sachi Mulkey, a reporter at Grist, to better understand the “drought-disease paradox.”

This article was originally published on WBUR.org.

Copyright 2026 WBUR

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