Wildfire-Induced Changes in Behavior Affect Spread of Airborne Disease
WEDNESDAY, June 25, 2025 -- Wildfire-induced deterioration of air quality leads to a substantial increase in indoor activities, fostering conditions conducive to transmission of airborne disease, according to a study published online June 18 in PLOS Climate.
Beatriz Arregui-García, from Instituto de Fisica Interdisciplinary Sistemas Complejos in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, and colleagues examined how wildfire-induced changes in human behavior during the U.S. West Coast wildfires of 2020 affected the spread of airborne diseases.
The researchers found that wildfire-induced deterioration of air quality led to a substantial increase in indoor activities, fostering conditions that were conducive to airborne disease transmission using a mobility data-driven indoor activity index. Average increases of 10.8 and 14.3 percent in indoor activities were seen in counties in Oregon and Washington, respectively, during the wildfire events; increases of 11 and 16 percent were experienced in major cities like Portland and Seattle. These behavioral changes were integrated into a model, which predicts the greatest impact on diseases with shorter generation times, such as respiratory syncytial virus and influenza. Even a modest increase in indoor mask-wearing (as low as 10 percent), could yield a significant reduction in the risk of disease spread in these settings; higher compliance would be needed for more substantial reductions.
"By revealing how behavioral shifts induced by wildfires can elevate disease spread, our study advocates for the inclusion of behavioral responses in public health strategies," the authors write. "As climate change continues to alter our environment, it is crucial for public health interventions to evolve accordingly, equipping us to tackle the multifaceted and interconnected risks of a warming world."
Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.
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