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| Climate change (floods) helps insect vectors facilitate your death, says a 2007 report in Gambia. Pix: Barra Flood 2009 (photo credit: The Point) |
The number of deadly diseases transmitted by insect vectors like
mosquitoes are likely to be enhanced by floods says a local study released in
Banjul.
The report “Gambia National Adaptation Programme of Action
on Climate Change, NAPA” said such diseases include malaria. Malaria is a
serious illness transmitted to humans by a mosquito.
The NAPA warns against sleeping or staying long hours
outdoors to avoid contracting malaria.
“There is a high probability that the rise in annual malaria
cases in The Gambia from 25, 000 to 76, 000 in 2004, is due to sleeping or
staying outdoors without taking necessary precautions,” says a report produced
by NAPA Country Team, NCT.
Wide choices
The report, published in 2007, was given little prominence in the local media, but i think it is still relevant for people to understand the relation between floods and deadly-diseases, Lamin Jahated, a journalist and blogger said.
The NCT says people have a wide choice of strategies to cope
with direct effects of flooding.
For malaria, they pointed to the “Roll Back Malaria”, a
programme intended to enhance the fight against the killer disease.
The NAPA advices on the use of drugs like quinine, mosquito
repellent incense, insecticides like moon-tiger or aerosol sprays - all available
at pharmacies, corner shops, and local markets. They also suggested the use of insecticide-treated
bed-nets.
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| Fighting malaria and flood water in The Gambia (Photo:Virtual Tourist) |
Evacuation
The report outlined other indirect health risks of flooding,
including exposure to biologically-active pollutants that may be present in
flood waters.
Larger populations areas would be exposed to schistosomiasis,
a disease caused by the spread of fresh water snails into newly flooded areas,
the report says.
“If an evacuation exercise becomes necessary, then the risk
of infectious disease transmission increases with overcrowding,” the study
finds.
Higher risk of meningitis
Relative risks of meningococcal meningitis outbreaks may also increase with the frequency of dust storms, the authors warn. Meningitis is a serious illness that affects the outer part of the brain.
Relative risks of meningococcal meningitis outbreaks may also increase with the frequency of dust storms, the authors warn. Meningitis is a serious illness that affects the outer part of the brain.
Although locations of
future outbreaks may not be known with exactitude, they said urban centers with
high population densities constitute the highest risk areas.
The report points to children immunization as a key preventive measure.
The report points to children immunization as a key preventive measure.
They said warmer weather causes “aggravated cardiovascular
and respiratory illness” for persons over 65, and “accelerated aging of lungs,
decreased lung capacity, asthma, bronchitis, emphysema” in other age-groups.
Written by Modou S. Joof
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