Climate Change Causing Surge in Mosquito-Borne Diseases - WHO Revealed

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Climate change, deforestation, and urbanization are some of the major risk factors behind the increasing number of outbreaks of viruses such as dengue, Zika, and chikungunya around the world, warns a study by the World Health Organization.

The study says the incidence of infections caused by these mosquito-borne illnesses, which thrive in tropical and subtropical climates, have grown dramatically in recent decades. The report says cases of dengue have increased from just over half a million globally in 2000 to 5.2 million in 2019.

And the trend continues. The latest data show about half of the world’s population now is at risk of dengue, the most common viral infection that spreads from mosquitoes to people, with an estimated 100 to 400 million infections occurring every year.

“Right now, around 129 countries are at risk of dengue, and it is endemic in over 100 countries,” said Raman Velayudhan, unit head of WHOs global program on control of neglected tropical diseases coordinating dengue and arbovirus initiative.

He said dengue in South America alone is moving further south to countries such as Bolivia, Peru, and Paraguay.

Climate change gives rise to increased precipitation, higher temperatures and higher humidity, conditions under which mosquitos thrive and multiply. There is new research, which shows that even dry weather enables mosquitos to breed. Scientists say dry weather makes mosquitos thirsty and when they become dehydrated, they want to feed on blood more often.

“This is really worrying because this shows that climate change has played a key role in facilitating the spread of the vector mosquitoes down south. And then when people travel, naturally the virus goes along with them,” he said. “And this trend is likely to continue for the rest of the world.

“We have already got reports from Sudan, which has recorded a quite high increase in dengue cases, over 8,000 cases and 45 deaths since July.”