Climate Change’s Role in Rising Malaria Cases in Africa

Climate change is contributing to a rise in malaria cases across Africa, particularly in highland regions where it was previously rare. Experts from Kenya highlight the significant impact of rising temperatures on malaria transmission rates. The World Health Organization forecasts increased malaria-related deaths due to climate change. Surveillance and control strategies are deemed vital in addressing the escalating situation.

Experts indicate that climate change, particularly rising temperatures, is contributing to an increase in malaria and other mosquito-borne diseases, notably dengue fever, across Africa. This growing trend is placing considerable pressure on public health systems, as emphasized by health analysts such as Dorothy Memusi, a former deputy director of the malaria division in Kenya’s Ministry of Health.

Memusi noted that climate change is altering disease patterns, with diseases emerging in regions previously unaffected, particularly in Kenya’s highland areas where malaria had historically low occurrences. Recent studies have revealed that certain regions of the Rift Valley are now experiencing an uptick in malaria cases directly linked to subtle climatic alterations. “The resurgence of malaria in the east African highlands has shown how small changes in climate can influence the geography of some tropical diseases,” she remarked.

A December report from the World Health Organization underscores that climate change is intensifying the global risks of malaria transmission, predicting that Africa could face an additional 550,000 malaria-related deaths between 2030 and 2049. Memusi explained that temperature significantly impacts the malaria parasite’s life cycle; at 18 °C, the parasite requires 51 days to mature. She noted that a mere increase of two degrees in highland regions can drastically shorten the maturation period, accelerating transmission rates.

Another study highlights that temperature changes, alongside rainfall, directly influence the development and survival of both malaria parasites and their mosquito carriers. Increased temperature, rainfall, and humidity are likely to expand mosquito populations and their habitats in higher altitudes, leading to heightened malaria transmission in previously unaffected areas. Memusi pointed out that warmer temperatures can accelerate the parasite’s growth in mosquitoes, which exacerbates transmission rates.

Despite this alarming data, Memusi advised caution. She warned that due to factors including demographic changes, human activities such as deforestation, and resistance to insecticides and medications, quantifying climate change’s precise effects on malaria transmission remains complex.

Willis Akhwale, a medical doctor and special adviser to the Kenya End Malaria Council, noted that while malaria cases have proliferated in traditionally cooler highland areas, this may be attributed more to increased drug resistance among malaria parasites and reduced pesticide application in mosquito breeding zones. He emphasized the need for continuous surveillance and preparedness as critical elements of malaria control strategies, which include prompt treatment, parasite management, and capacity-building to prevent outbreaks and control transmission.

In summary, climate change is emerging as a significant factor in the rise of malaria and other mosquito-borne diseases in Africa, particularly in regions previously unaffected by such infections. The increasing temperatures and altered rainfall patterns are found to impact the lifecycle of malaria parasites and their carriers, leading to higher transmission rates and a greater burden on public health systems. Experts stress the necessity of effective malaria control strategies while recognizing the complexities in quantifying climate change’s direct effects due to various influencing factors.

Original Source: www.chinadaily.com.cn