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Showing posts from April, 2019

VECTOR-BORNE DISEASES AND CLIMATE CHANGE

Welcome curious readers! Today I would like to talk about the relationship between climate change and vector-borne diseases. Yes! There is a positive correlation. Currently, Africa and Asia are known for facing some of the deadliest diseases on the planet, but they are spreading worldwide. Majority of these diseases are vector-borne.  The importance of addressing vector-borne diseases is because malaria and dengue are responsible for high rates of mortality especially in Africa and Asia. Vector-borne diseases have also had a strong influence on the survival rates of children and adults in the past and at present Around 12% of mortality in tropical regions can be directly attributed to vector-borne diseases. The mosquito species that are responsible for dengue and malaria are climate sensitive, which means they have a specific temperature window for optimum establishment (Githeko, et al., 2000). Future climate projections from the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change)