By: Margaret Yayra Agbenu
Climate change, a universal and pressing concern, is not confined to rising temperatures and melting ice caps alone. Its ripple effects extend to our health, influencing the patterns of vector-borne diseases and introducing new challenges to global healthcare systems. Climate change has made it easier to spread of certain infectious diseases, including Lyme diseases, water-borne diseases and mosquito-borne diseases such as malaria and dengue fever. Many studies have confirmed that climate change is as a result of air pollutants. This actions affects human mortality and spread of vector-borne diseases. The sum of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, mainly caused by combustion of fossil fuels, leads to air pollution and heat waves habitual territories and ecosystems.
Warmer Temperatures and Disease Vectors
Rising temperatures such caused by greenhouse gas emissions are expected to lead to more intense storms and prolonged droughts. Gases such as Ozone and carbon monoxide(CO), are predominantly generated from automotive exhaust, tool production engines, and industrial activities. Conversely, elevated water vapour and ozone formation at the earth's surface during heat waves are associated with various health risks. Ozone , composed of three oxygen atoms, in the atmosphere, may pose harmful effects when produced in the lower atmosphere. One of the most direct impacts of climate change on vector-borne diseases is the alteration of temperature patterns. Vector are the transmitter s of diseases causing organisms; that is they carry pathogens from the host to another. Vectors are typically mosquitoes and ticks that transmits viruses, bacteria to human and warm blooded hosts. Rising temperatures can expand the geographical range of disease vectors, enabling them to thrive in areas where they were previously unable to survive. For instance, warmer climates may create more favorable conditions for mosquitoes that carry diseases like malaria, dengue fever, and Zika virus to proliferate in regions that were once too cold for them to thrive.
Altered Breeding Cycles
Climate change also disrupts the seasonal patterns that influence the breeding and survival of disease vectors. Changes in precipitation and temperature can lead to alterations in the availability of breeding sites, impacting the life cycles of mosquitoes and other vectors. This can result in longer and more intense transmission seasons for diseases like West Nile virus and Lyme disease, as the vectors find more suitable habitats for breeding.
Also, as temperatures rise and ecosystems evolve, disease vectors are not only expanding their range but are also moving to higher altitudes. This movement can expose populations that were previously unaffected to new diseases. Additionally, as vectors migrate, they may introduce diseases to regions that were historically free from certain infections, posing novel challenges to healthcare infrastructure and disease management strategies.
The frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, such as hurricanes and floods, are on the rise due to climate change. These events can have immediate and lasting impacts on vector-borne diseases. Floods, for example, create stagnant water pools that serve as breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Post-disaster scenarios also lead to the displacement of populations, increasing the risk of disease transmission.
Climate change not only amplifies the spread of existing diseases but also contributes to the emergence of new infectious threats. The warming of ocean waters, for instance, can influence the distribution of marine hosts and vectors, potentially leading to the spread of diseases like cholera and vibriosis.
Mitigating the Impact.
In an interview with Mr. Enoch Tsonyake, a climate change activist, he stated that addressing the intersection of climate change and vector-borne diseases requires a multi-faceted approach. This includes robust surveillance systems to monitor changing disease patterns, investment in research to understand the complex interactions between climate and health, and the development of adaptive strategies for healthcare systems.
According to research study by national library of medicine, climate change are likely to be worsen by developing vector-borne viral diseases alongside diseases like malaria and even temperature zones. It stated that vector-borne diseases will continue to plague world health if care not taken.
Conclusion
The rising temperature system as a result of climate change has one of the world's largest concerns . As the planet continues to warm, the intricate dance between climate change and vector-borne diseases unfolds with far-reaching consequences. The imperative to understand and mitigate these impacts has never been more urgent. By acknowledging the interconnectedness of environmental health and human well-being, we can work towards a future where the effects of climate change on disease patterns are minimized, and global health is safeguarded for generations to come.
Kindly watch the video below to learn more on how climate change increases the risk of vector borne diseases👇👇👇👇
ABOUT THE WRITER
Margaret Yayra Agbenu is a young lady who is currently pursuing a degree in Journalism at the University of Media, Arts and Communication - Institute of Journalism. She acts as a reporter and writer for the Caring Climate Chronicles blog.
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