FEATURED ARTICLE
GLOBAL WARMING AND DISEASES
What is Global
warming?
Global warming is the observed increase in the average
temperature of the Earth’s atmosphere and oceans in recent decades. The Earth's
average near-surface atmospheric temperature rose 0.6 ± 0.2 °Celsius (1.1 ± 0.4
°Fahrenheit) in the 20th century .-wikipedia
Malaria
We all know that malaria is caused by
parasites which is transmitted by the bite of
female mosquitoes.These weaklings are
not as weak as their size suggests.These mosquitoes
by their role in malaria
kills between 1.1 and 2.7 million people
worldwide every year.Where
do you live? Perhaps you
have not heard of people in your city dying of malaria.Sub-Saharan
Africa accounts for mazority of the
cases.Now hold back your tears.Around 1 million of those getting killed are children
under5 years of age from these areas.These childhood deaths results
mostly from cerebral malaria and anaemia.Note these have a cure.Malaria accounts for
25% of childhood mortality in Africa.Now
what’s going to bring peace and security to the
world?Right“Global Missile defence system" .Oh sorry I meant “Global disease
defence system".Are we scared of malaria or
for that matter any other diseases?We see and hear so
many deaths in cities from diseases and accidents but still
what are we scared of most ? - F16s or suicide bombings .If not scared then at least we take pride in
boasting (may be
genuine) that we are not afraid of
them.Lets get back to the topic.
How does global warming
relate to malaria?
Mosquitoes breed in warm,
wet places. With the increase of rain and warmth during global warming, the
population of mosquitoes will increase, making the risk of getting this disease
also increase.There is a catch in this .Temperature affects the life cycle
of malarial parasite.A
temperature below 16 degree C and above 30 degree C is hostile to the parasite.Well as different
parts of the world has different temperatures, the net effect of global warming
will be an increase in areas with optimum temperature for the parasite.So we may
expect (unlikely its our progeny who will suffer) to hear of malarias
in areas where its not
heard today.
What other diseases
it could promote?
Hanta
virus -
A deadly respiratory
disease caused by wild rodents.Basically any disease associated with rodents will
show a change in pattern with the rise in population of rodents due to
warming.Eg. Crimean-Congo
hemorrhagic fever, tularemia , rabies etc.
Skin
Cancer-
Skin cancer is one of the main cancer concerns of the world when
Global Warming hits. The skin cancer people could get most is
melanoma. It is lethal. Early discovery is very important.
If you have moles that are bothering you or are
doing strange things such as changing size, shape, color, or if they bleed
constantly, you should consult a doctor.(NOTE: the incidence of melanoma has
increased by 300% in the past 40 years, some link this to ozone depletion
and global warming.It may be due to increased recreational sun
exposure early in life.)
