Climate change is the most pressing global topic of our times which is threatening the environment and public health around the world. The statistics concerning malaria transmission pose an urgent problem, particularly in the global warming era when temperatures are rising and heaths are shifting. As a result, malaria – a life-threatening vector-borne disease that kills more than one million people a year, namely children, adolescents, and pregnant mothers in Sub-Saharan Africa without any remodeling in malaria treatment in the past 60 years – is highly susceptible to the extra climatic conditions. This article will elucidate the repercussions of climate change on the transmission of malaria and will provide parents with useful tips to protect their families from malaria.
Understanding the Link Between Climate Change and Malaria
Malaria is a parasitic disease carried by infected Anopheles mosquitoes that bite humans. The connection between climate change and malaria involves various issues:
- Temperature Rise: Warmer temperatures can speed up malaria parasite development times in mosquitoes. Higher ambient temperatures can shorten the length of time needed to incubate the parasite so that the mosquito becomes infectious sooner. A rise in outdoor temperatures also allows mosquito habitats to move further north.
- Changes in rainfall patterns: The frequency of malaria transmission depends on rainfall. Mosquitoes breed in water and an increase in rainfall means an increase in breeding sites. On the other hand, drought conditions can also mean the availability of fewer breeding sites; but when rain does occur, it will release extremely high numbers of mosquitoes.
- Humidity Levels: humidity affects the survival and breeding of mosquitoes, higher humidity, provides more opportunity for mosquitoes to survive, therefore enabling a higher population of mosquitoes. Reduced humidity will decrease the mosquito numbers. However, the global trend of rising temperature can contribute to elevated levels of humidity as well and contribute to mosquito numbers.
- Extreme weather events – heavy rains in places where there’s normally none (which create great breeding sites for mosquitoes) and long droughts followed by heavy rains (which create a mosquito boom and thus increase the risk of a malaria outbreak) are all facilitated by a changing climate.
How Climate Change Influences Malaria Transmission
- Geographic Spread: regions too cold for malaria-carrying mosquitoes will become habitable Warming has been estimated to expand malaria ranges by between 250 million and two billion more people as it expands into higher altitudes and latitudes.
- Changes in seasonality: shifts in climate can alter the timing and length of the malaria season. Areas that previously experienced distinct malaria seasons could experience a lengthening of the transmission periods, or even begin to develop a more year-round pattern as warmer ambient temperatures and altered precipitation patterns improve conditions for enhanced mosquito survival.
- Mosquito behavior: Even warmer temperatures can stimulate increased mosquito activity, increased biting rate, and increased probability that transmission occurs.
Practical Tips for Parents to Protect Their Children
- Cover your child with Insecticide-Treated Nets: Insecticide-treated nets are the best way to prevent malaria. The nets prevent mosquitoes from getting to your sleeping child.
- DEET/Picaridin/Oil of lemon eucalyptus-based insect repellents on exposed skin. Follow label directions and do not apply to the hands and faces of children.
- Wear Protective Clothing: Dress your children in long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and socks when they are outside, especially during peak mosquito activity times such as early morning and late afternoon.
- Get Rid of Standing Water: Mosquitoes lay their eggs in stagnant water. Check closely for standing water, such as in flower pots, buckets, or old tires.
- Put a Screen on Your Window and Door: Screen your windows and doors to keep mosquitoes away. Repair any holes or openings in existing screens.
- Zone mosquito activity to indoor spaces: inside your house, use a mosquito repellent spray-on or plug-in device. For outdoor areas where your kids play, try repellents such as mosquito coil or other repellents.
- Stay informed: keep abreast of travel health advisories and any malaria trends in your area. Information on malaria risks in your community is sometimes available from local health organizations.
Healthcare Providers Consult a healthcare provider about appropriate prevention measures if you or your family members live or are traveling to a high-risk malaria area.
Changes in the pattern of malaria transmission are increasingly due to climate change. As a parent, you need to be aware of these changes, develop a good level of understanding about malaria risk based on the local weather, and take preventive measures to reduce the risk of your kids contracting this deadly disease.
