Climate change has tripled the habitat of mosquitoes in the past 10 years, and the area where mosquitoes carry diseases such as malaria and dengue fever is expanding.
Climate Central, a non-profit climate research organization, surveyed data from about 250 locations in the United States over the past 40 years and found that more than 70% of them had a hot, humid environment favorable to mosquitoes. research dataannounced. “Climate change has resulted in more frequent and severe heat waves, and more water puddles due to storms and floods,” the researchers said. “This created a favorable environment for mosquitoes to breed.”
Professor Oliver Brady, from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, said: “When temperatures rise, mosquitoes grow faster and live longer.” It matures faster.” “In the past, mosquitoes died in the winter, but now they can breed all year round,” he added.
The problem is that mosquitoes not only suck blood and disturb sleep at night, but also carry fatal diseases such as malaria and dengue fever. In fact, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently issued a malaria alert. Scientists have warned that malaria could become more common in the United States as temperatures rise.
In addition, malaria can be spread by mosquito populations. Georgetown University, USA research reportAccording to the report, in sub-Saharan Africa, where malaria is rampant, climate change is greatly expanding the range of mosquito activity. “The malaria-transmitting Anopheles mosquito averages about 21 feet per year moving upland and about 3 miles southward,” the report said.
“This rate cannot be achieved under normal circumstances,” said Dr. Colin Carlson, who studies climate change at Georgetown University. “Mosquitoes can be carriers of deadly diseases such as dengue fever,” Carlson said. “It is highly likely that the unusually high rainfall and warm temperatures provided ideal conditions for mosquitoes.” “Dengue fever is becoming more widespread,” he said. “One billion new people living in Western Europe, the United States and China will be exposed to weather conditions suitable for dengue transmission.”
Last week, the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) warned that the Aedes dengue mosquito, which carries dengue fever, is making its way into Europe. “What’s surprising is how fast it spreads,” said Celine Gossner, ECDC’s chief of emerging and infectious diseases research. “In just 10 years, the area inhabited by these mosquitoes has tripled.”
In this regard, Prof. Oliver Brady said, “The increasing number of dengue fever in Europe means that the situation is only getting worse in areas where there is already dengue fever.” ” he was concerned.
“Communities already at the forefront of the climate crisis will be most affected by mosquito-borne diseases,” said Dr. Shannon LaDeau of the Cary Institute of Ecosystems Studies. “This is where support needs to be focused. do,” he stressed.
Scientists are working to reduce mosquito-borne diseases. British biotechnology company Oxitec is experimenting with mosquitoes containing a modified gene that renders them unable to reproduce. Also, researchers at Monash University in Australia are conducting research to prevent the virus from replicating inside the mosquito.
Prof. Brady emphasized, “If we cannot reduce climate change in the end, these measures will be nothing more than stopgap measures. Active climate mitigation is the surest solution.”
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2023-06-30 04:15:00
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