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Global warming may contribute to the re-emergence of malaria in regions of Eastern Africa

By 21 de March de 2006November 18th, 2020No Comments
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 21.03.2006

Global warming may contribute to the re-emergence of malaria in regions of Eastern Africa

The rise in temperature registered in the mountainous regions of Eastern Africa may contribute to an increase in cases of malaria in this area according to a study published in this week's edition of the journal "Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences" (). The research, which has involved the director of the of the Parc Científic de Barcelona (PCB, Barcelona Science Park) and ICREA researcher, Xavier Rodó, proposes that the effect of global warming on the re-emergence of this disease cannot be discarded.

Previous studies had reported that global warming might be responsible for the increased incidence of malaria in Eastern Africa; however, until now a significant change in the mean temperature of this region had not been demonstrated. This new study, directed by Mercedes Pascual, researcher at the , analysed temperatures between 1950 and 2002 in four locations in the highland region of Eastern Africa and shows small increases of half a degree. Malaria has become a significant public health problem in this region. Although there are other factors that determine the increase in the incidence of this disease, such as resistance to pesticides, the change in land use patterns and human migration, the results of this research now show the effect of climatic change.

In addition, using a mathematical model, the team of researchers has examined the biological consequences of this increase in temperature. In this regard, the study has demonstrated that the population dynamics of the mosquito that transmits malaria can be affected since the life cycle of this insect is highly sensitive to changes in temperature. In this highland region of Eastern Africa, mosquito abundance is very low; however, a rise in temperature may increase populations of this insect, and consequently, the transmission of malaria may also increase.

Although almost completely eradicated in many parts of the world, malaria still affects hundreds of millions of people worldwide and its incidence is increasing in highland regions and desert fringes.