What Health Risks Does Climate Change Pose?
Discussion
Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) is a Flavivirae, arbovirus that is endemic to many areas of Asia and the Pacific. It is estimated to affect ~70,000 people/year with ~10-15,000 deaths yearly in 20 countries, with a fatality rate of 35-40%. It can cause encephalitis and irreversible neurological morbidity. JEV is spread by Culex mosquitos which feed on swine. Increased environmental temperature and increased humidity (warm air is more moist) increases mosquito numbers, their survivability and ultimate dissemination. China has the highest rates of JEV with particular areas being more prone, as some areas co-farm rice and swine and the families live closely to the rice paddies and livestock which encourages transmission. JEV’s range has expanded over the past few decades including in 2009 into Tibet which was thought to be immune because of its altitude. Similar geographic spread has been found in other countries too such as Australia. Mass immunization in China and other countries has decreased the disease but it still remains a threat.
Learning Point
Weather is a moment-to-moment, day-to-day event and differs from climate which occurs across seasons, many years, and regions. “Climatic conditions and weather patterns have many consequences for human physiology, health and survival. Some health impacts, as from extreme exposures such as heat waves, occur directly. However, most climate-related health risks are mediated via the influences of climatic chang...
Source: PediatricEducation.org - Category: Pediatrics Authors: pediatriceducationmin Tags: Uncategorized Source Type: news
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