How Wildfires Might Increase Risk Of Flu, COVID-19

Follow Drugslib on

By Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com

via HealthDay

WEDNESDAY, June 18, 2025 — Wildfires might inadvertently increase the risk of flu and COVID-19 outbreaks, a new study argues.

Sky-choking wildfire smoke tends to drive people indoors, and infectious diseases are more likely to spread among those packed into enclosed spaces, researchers reported today in the journal PLOS Climate.

“Our findings show that wildfires led to a dramatic increase in indoor activities, creating the ideal conditions for respiratory diseases such as influenza to spread,” wrote the research team led by senior researcher Giulia Pullano, a postdoctoral fellow in epidemiology at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C.

“But by incorporating simple measures like indoor mask-wearing, we can reduce this risk,” the team added.

For the study, researchers analyzed mobile phone data tracking people’s visits to more than 4.6 million points of interest throughout the United States, including both indoor and outdoor destinations.

The team then zeroed in on the wildfire season that disrupted activities in Oregon and Washington between July and November 2020, using air quality data to identify counties worst affected by wildfire smoke.

In August 2020, thunderstorms sparked multiple wildfires in those states, researchers said in background notes. A windy, record-breaking heatwave added fuel to the fires in September, spreading smoke across Oregon and Washington.

Results show that during the wildfires, counties in Oregon experienced a 14% increase in indoor activity and Washington counties a nearly 11% increase.

Major cities in those states also experienced a surge in indoor activities – 16% in Seattle and 11% in Portland.

Computer models show packing that many extra people indoors will increase the risk of infectious disease spread, particularly for virulent airborne diseases like influenza and COVID-19, researchers said.

However, the models also showed that wearing masks indoors can limit transmission.

“We find that even a modest increase in mask use (10%) can reduce the rise in peak incidence during wildfires,” researchers wrote. “In heavily impacted areas like Washington County, Ore., and Yakima County, Wash., masking rates above 50% may be required to effectively mitigate disease transmission.”

Public health experts should keep this effect in mind if wildfire smoke drifts into their region, and warn people of the increased infection risk, researchers explained.

“As we face more frequent extreme events, public health strategies must evolve to address not just the environmental impact, but also the ways we adapt and react to the emergency,” researchers wrote.

“By understanding and planning for this behavioral response, we can better protect public health in a warming world,” they concluded.

Sources

  • PLOS Climate, journal
  • PLOS, news release, June 18, 2025

    • 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.

    Source: HealthDay

    Posted : 2025-06-19 06:00

    Read more

    Disclaimer

    Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.

    The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Drugslib.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Drugslib.com provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

    Popular Keywords