Desert dust, sandstorms, and infectious diseases: A scoping review

Desert dust and sandstorms influence air quality by elevating particulate matter concentrations and transporting anthropogenic pollutants, microorganisms, and toxic biogenic allergens. Although there is increasing concern about their role in spreading infectious diseases, the evidence remains limited. This scoping review synthesizes epidemiological literature on the association between desert dust exposure and infectious disease and identifies critical research gaps. A bibliographic search was conducted in PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, and Scopus up to December 2024, following Joanna Briggs Institute and PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Eligible studies were primary epidemiological investigations examining desert dust exposure and infectious outcomes in human populations. Data were extracted on study design, exposure assessment, pathogens, and health outcomes, and synthesized using descriptive tables and evidence mapping. From 7334 screened records, 37 studies met inclusion criteria. Reported health outcomes included morbidity (56.7 %), diagnosed infections (42.3 %), and mortality (6.8 %), involving respiratory (65.8 %), neurological (18.4 %), ocular/systemic (10.5 %), and gastrointestinal (7.9 %) infections. Respiratory pathogens were most frequently studied across regions affected by Saharan, Asian, Middle Eastern, and American dust. Meningitis was prominently linked to Saharan dust in the African meningitis belt, while ocular and gastrointestinal infections were associated with localized exposures. The evidence suggests a potential link between desert dust and various infectious diseases, particularly respiratory infections. However, substantial gaps remain, including the need for standardized exposure metrics, long-term exposure assessments, and interdisciplinary methodologies. These findings underscore the importance of addressing desert dust-related health risks in the context of climate change and increasing desertification.