Disease

Global warming and the spread of vectors carrying viral infection

Spurred on by climate change, international travel and international trade, disease-bearing insects are spreading to ever-wider parts of the world.

This means that more humans are exposed to viral infections such as Dengue fever, Chikungunya, Zika, West Nile fever, Yellow fever and Tick-borne encephalitis.

For many of these diseases, there are as yet no specific antiviral agents or vaccines.

Global warming has allowed mosquitoes, ticks and other disease-bearing insects to proliferate, adapt to different seasons, migrate and spread to new niche areas that have become warmer.

Cholera - Nigeria

The Government of Nigeria is reported more than 600 cholera cases in Kukawa Local Government Area (LGA) in Borno State over the past month. Since Feb. 13, 608 cases including 3 deaths have been reported. The bulk of the cases have been reported from two wards–Doro and Baga.

Lassa Fever - Liberia

Liberia's Ministry of Health has revealed it is fighting to control an outbreak of Lassa fever which has killed two people since the beginning of March. An official of the ministry told the BBC the outbreak seems under control, as all of the 109 suspected cases had tested negative. They will be officially declared free of the disease by the 25 March.