Tareen Rahman :
Bangladesh is one of the climate vulnerable countries in the world. It is already facing enormous challenges like malaria and dengue due to extreme events of climate change such as drought, flood and other weather-related events, concerned sources said.
They added, the prevalence of these two deadly mosquito borne diseases – malaria and dengue – is increasing in recent years in major cities of the country also because of an early monsoon. Climatic factors like maximum temperature, rainfall and relative humidity are significantly correlated with the increase in mosquito infestation in the densely populated areas of the cities.
Added to these challenges are the demographic and socio-economic factors, for instance, rapid population growth and urbanization, poor health conditions of population, water scarcity and inadequate sanitary conditions. Climate change is, therefore, apprehended to increase the burden of most diseases, in terms of increased morbidity and mortality.
According to a global warming report, prevalence of malaria is highly endemic in 13 out of 64 districts in Bangladesh namely — Khagrachhari, Bandarban, Cox’s Bazar, Rangamati, Chittagong, Sylhet, Sunamgonj, Moulvibazar, Hobiganj, Mymensingh, Sherpur, Netrokona and Kurigram. About 98 percent of total malaria cases are reported from these districts. The number of malaria endemic upazila is 70 and total population at risk is over one crore.
This explains the incidence of malaria and dengue fever which has become common possibly due to warming of summer days in Bangladesh and also the appearance of an early monsoon.
World Health Organisation (WHO) in a recent report revealed that malaria is affecting 50 crore people globally every year and is fatal for nearly 10 lakh people. UNICEF has also revealed that every day 1,200 infants globally are dying because of malaria.
Meanwhile, World Malaria Day was observed worldwide on April 25. This year’s theme of the day was ‘Invest in the Future: Defeat Malaria’. On the day, WHO has called for high-level commitment towards a vision for making the world free from malaria.
The theme reflects the ambitious goals and targets set out in a draft strategy to be presented in the 68th World Health Assembly in May this year. The new strategy aims to reduce malaria cases and deaths by 90 per cent from the current level. The Day also provides an opportunity for all individuals in every community to get involved in the activities that can lead to an environment free of malaria for a safer world.
Micky Chopra, Health Specialist of UNICEF said, ‘From the year 2000, child mortality rate due to malaria has gone down by 40 per cent. Even after this improvement, every year about 5 lakh infants are affected with this deadly disease, which is very frustrating. This is a warning sign that if we are not alert, in future days, this disease will remain as a challenge for us.’
According to WHO, the incidence of dengue has also grown dramatically around the world in recent decades. Over 2.5 billion people, that is, over 40 per cent of the world population are now at risk from dengue. Currently, WHO also estimates there may be 5-10 crore dengue infections worldwide every year.
Bangladesh is one of the climate vulnerable countries in the world. It is already facing enormous challenges like malaria and dengue due to extreme events of climate change such as drought, flood and other weather-related events, concerned sources said.
They added, the prevalence of these two deadly mosquito borne diseases – malaria and dengue – is increasing in recent years in major cities of the country also because of an early monsoon. Climatic factors like maximum temperature, rainfall and relative humidity are significantly correlated with the increase in mosquito infestation in the densely populated areas of the cities.
Added to these challenges are the demographic and socio-economic factors, for instance, rapid population growth and urbanization, poor health conditions of population, water scarcity and inadequate sanitary conditions. Climate change is, therefore, apprehended to increase the burden of most diseases, in terms of increased morbidity and mortality.
According to a global warming report, prevalence of malaria is highly endemic in 13 out of 64 districts in Bangladesh namely — Khagrachhari, Bandarban, Cox’s Bazar, Rangamati, Chittagong, Sylhet, Sunamgonj, Moulvibazar, Hobiganj, Mymensingh, Sherpur, Netrokona and Kurigram. About 98 percent of total malaria cases are reported from these districts. The number of malaria endemic upazila is 70 and total population at risk is over one crore.
This explains the incidence of malaria and dengue fever which has become common possibly due to warming of summer days in Bangladesh and also the appearance of an early monsoon.
World Health Organisation (WHO) in a recent report revealed that malaria is affecting 50 crore people globally every year and is fatal for nearly 10 lakh people. UNICEF has also revealed that every day 1,200 infants globally are dying because of malaria.
Meanwhile, World Malaria Day was observed worldwide on April 25. This year’s theme of the day was ‘Invest in the Future: Defeat Malaria’. On the day, WHO has called for high-level commitment towards a vision for making the world free from malaria.
The theme reflects the ambitious goals and targets set out in a draft strategy to be presented in the 68th World Health Assembly in May this year. The new strategy aims to reduce malaria cases and deaths by 90 per cent from the current level. The Day also provides an opportunity for all individuals in every community to get involved in the activities that can lead to an environment free of malaria for a safer world.
Micky Chopra, Health Specialist of UNICEF said, ‘From the year 2000, child mortality rate due to malaria has gone down by 40 per cent. Even after this improvement, every year about 5 lakh infants are affected with this deadly disease, which is very frustrating. This is a warning sign that if we are not alert, in future days, this disease will remain as a challenge for us.’
According to WHO, the incidence of dengue has also grown dramatically around the world in recent decades. Over 2.5 billion people, that is, over 40 per cent of the world population are now at risk from dengue. Currently, WHO also estimates there may be 5-10 crore dengue infections worldwide every year.
