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Canada and Northern Europe could become new mosquito breeding grounds if global temperature continues to increase. A new study showed that climate change would expose more people to zika, dengue fever, yellow fever and other diseases. ( Mohamed Nuzrath | pixabay )
One study warns that more people around the world could contract zika, dengue, chikungunya and other mosquito-borne diseases over the next 30 years.
According to researchers, climate change puts more than half a billion people at risk. The problem will not be isolated from the tropics either; Regions such as Canada and northern Europe where mosquito-borne diseases are currently unknown will be home to yellow fever and tiger mosquitoes.
Transmission of the disease by mosquitoes caused by climate change
The team created mathematical models of climate change and used predictions of future climate change under different emission scenarios to create a map showing when and when populations are at risk of becoming infected with mosquito-borne diseases.
At present, researchers have stated that about 6 billion people worldwide were at risk of contracting a mosquito-borne disease for a month or more each year. By 2050, however, more than half a billion people are at risk of transmission.
They explained that climate change is pushing cold weather further into the pole, making areas such as Canada and Northern Europe suitable for mosquitoes and their pathogens.
"These diseases, which we consider to be strictly tropical, are already manifesting in favorable climate regions, such as Florida, because humans are very efficient at moving insects and their pathogens around the world," said Sadie Ryan. from the university. from Florida, the main author of the study.
The study also revealed that climate change could also result in a decrease in some mosquito-borne diseases, especially in countries close to the equator. As yellow fever and tiger mosquitoes go back and spread throughout Europe, the risk of contracting the disease could decrease in West Africa and Southeast Asia, where mosquitoes will find the too hot climate in tropical countries.
Planning should start now
The researchers explained that the purpose of the study was to encourage governments and public health officials to begin preparing for the arrival of mosquitoes in unusual areas to the agents. pathogens. They hope that this study will lead to the creation of a global health plan adapted to climate change.
"Newly exposed populations tend to witness explosive epidemics," added Ryan, "and for newly observed diseases, like Zika, early exposures tend to have worse consequences, in terms of symptoms and health response." looking for these new areas, in any future scenario ".
The study was published in the newspaper PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases March 28, Thursday.
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