Global Warming and Infectious Disease By Renata Robertson and Lian Salumbides. Section AB Pictures extracted from http://www.sierraclub.org/energy/health/weather.asp

The problem in a

Global Warming

Increase temperature and humidity

Increase habitat and life span of mosquitoes

MORE INFECTIOUS DISEASE!!!

Created by students

Notes: • Of the many issues concerning the consequences of global warming, the spreading of infectious disease is becoming more and more of a concern. • As global temperatures and humidity rise, the environment and habitat of disease carrying mosquitoes are expanding to more areas, putting more and more of the world at risk. Areas further north are now habitable for vector-borne disease. • According to a John Hopkins study in 2001, “Several studies have linked increased rainfall to disease outbreaks. More than half of the waterborne disease outbreaks in the United States in the past 50 years were preceded by heavy rainfall.” • Although the evidence for global climate change is debatable, the increase in human disease worldwide is already noticeable. Infectious diseases account for 37% of all deaths worldwide. Live Science, http://www.livescience.com/environment/050221_warming_health.html

"Climate change is disrupting natural ecosystems in a way that is making life better for infectious diseases“ (Andrew Dobson – Princenton researcher)

Three main infectious diseases likely to be spread due to global warming:

Malaria

Dengue Fever

Yellow Fever

Malaria Malaria Affected Areas (2006)

10 1000 – ‹ 10000

10 ‹ 100 10000 – ‹ 25000

100 – ‹ 1000

http://img.dailymail.co.uk

›= 25000

Malaria cases per 100,000 inhabitants

Source: Foundation Merieux, URL: http://www.fondation-merieux.com

Global warming could put as much as 65% of the world’s population at risk of infection by malaria. http://www.sierraclub.org/energy/health/disease.asp

Notes: • • • • • •

MALARIA Malaria is a vector-borne disease that is caused by parasites, widespread mostly in tropical and subtropical areas of the world. In Africa, Asia, and South America, over 80 countries are affected by malaria. There are four known species of mosquitoes carrying malaria that can infect humans. The species of mosquitoes that carry this disease generally do not develop or breed below 16 degrees Celsius, but with increasing temperatures worldwide, their prevalence is spreading. Currently 41% of the world’s population live in areas where malaria is transmitted. However, global warming could increase the world’s susceptibility to up to 65%. Between 350 and 500 million cases of this disease occur worldwide each year, with a death total of over one million. Most of these deaths occur among young children in Africa

Sources: jansamachar.net CDC, http://www.cdc.gov/Malaria/facts.htm Sierra Club, http://www.sierraclub.org/energy/health/disease.asp Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malaria

Dengue Fever

Source: CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), URL: www.cdc.gov

There is no vaccine against dengue. One strain of the disease, hemorrhagic dengue fever, is often deadly. http://www.sierraclub.org/energy/health/disease.asp

Source: Wordpress.com

Notes: DENGUE FEVER • Dengue fever is a rapid expanding disease most prevalent in tropical cities. The Areas it currently affects are those that are densely populated without adequate sanitation and nutrition. Dengue strikes those with weak immune systems. • Dengue fever is an acute illness that includes headache, fever, rash, and muscle pain. • Dengue hemorrhagic fever is a more sever form of the disease, having all the symptoms of dengue fever, but also with evidence of hemorrhage in the body. It can therefore be life-threatening and even lead to death. • The affected areas are geographically similar to those regions also affected by malaria. • Aedes mosquitoes, the species that carry this disease, breed in still water usually collected in man-made containers, such as old tires, broken bottles, and plastic cups in dense, urban areas. • Sources: Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dengue_fever MedicineNet.com, http://www.medicinenet.com/dengue_fever/article.htm#1whatis

Yellow Fever Yellow Fever is currently only found in South America and Africa.

Source: CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), URL: www.cdc.gov

Source: World Heath Organization, URL: www.who.int

Notes: YELLOW FEVER • Yellow fever is an acute viral illness that can potentially cause hemorrhagic illness. If it becomes this severe, a vaccination does not have an effect. • It gets its name from the jaundice symptom that occurs in some patients. • Again, humans are infected by mosquitoes in tropical areas, but the disease is currently only found in parts of Africa and South America. • There are two kinds of yellow fever. The one that affects humans is known as Urban yellow fever. • The number of fatalities among those infected range from 15% to more than 50% • Aedes aegypti is the species of mosquitoes that carries the illness. Similar to dengue fever, the mosquitoes breed in still water, collected in flower pots, oil drums and other items close to human dwellings. • Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, URL: cdc.gov Wikipedia

Global Warming has many negative consequences that are affecting the population worldwide, but infectious disease should not be overlooked. It is becoming more and more prevalent and evidence is beginning to show more correlation to the increasing temperatures of our planet.