In May, Stella Dafka, Climate Impacts on Infectious Diseases Group Leader at Hei-planet, attended the European Geosciences Union General Assembly 2026 in Vienna, where she presented her analysis: “Climate variability is associated with chikungunya outbreaks across the Indian Ocean Region.”
The presentation explored how climate variability may be linked to infectious disease dynamics, with a focus on chikungunya outbreaks in a climate-sensitive region.
EGU 2026 was an inspiring opportunity to engage with the international geoscience community and exchange ideas across climate science, hazards, Earth system research, and public health. This year, it was especially encouraging to see the climate and health sector receiving increasing attention, reflecting the growing importance of understanding how environmental change can influence disease risk and population health.
As climate-related health challenges become more urgent, interdisciplinary research connecting climate science, epidemiology, and public health is more important than ever.
