world

A research team of a country recently released its study results showing that climate change is a major contributor to malaria transmission.

The team analysed the data on climate, infection, supervision and control and socio-economic indicators of the period of 25 years and concluded that due to the aftereffects of climate change, the number of malaria patients will increase to over a hundred million and that of the dead to 500 000 by 2050 in the whole region of Africa.

The present sharp prevalence of malaria is attributed to the persistence of temperature rise and damp weather induced by climate change in different parts of the world and the subsequent gradual extension of the period and sphere of mosquitoes’ activities.

An expert said that when it rains, water gathers to provide mosquitoes with a suitable living environment and when temperature rises, mosquitoes multiply more rapidly. He added that large numbers of mosquitoes have been found, as much rain has come and temperature has risen rapidly in recent years.

According to an official of an international health organization, there are 3 500 kinds of mosquitoes in the world and 837 of them have been found in Africa.

Due to temperature rise, gene mutation and tolerance to insecticides, the eradication of mosquitoes is getting more difficult.

Mosquitoes spread various infectious diseases. Among them, malaria causes serious damage.

According to experts’ survey results, over 600 000 people die from malaria every year.

In 2024 alone, about 282 million were infected by malaria worldwide. Referring to this, the WHO said that the disease killed 610 000 and over 90 percent of them were in Africa.

In February last year, 50 persons died in the Democratic Republic of Congo due to the spread of a highly fatal disease of unknown origin, which turned out to be malaria later.

In Mozambique, at least 270 were killed and over six million others were infected by the disease between January and May last year.

In Ethiopia, over 909 000 were diagnosed with malaria between January and February last year and 520 782 others were infected with the disease in May.

In Zimbabwe, more than 300 people died from malaria from January to June last year. The number of malaria patients increased nearly four times as compared to the same period of the previous year to reach more than 111 900 and the number of the dead jumped over six times.

Experts say that disastrous weather conditions constitute the greatest menace to malaria control, calling on all countries to sharpen vigilance against the spread of malaria, ensure a hygienic environment and take other relevant measures.