Deforestation in Brazilian Amazon linked to rise in malaria cases - Research
Overall findings indicate a clear link between deforestation and more malaria cases.
RIO DE JANEIRO - A new study has found that substantial deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon is fuelling the spread of malaria, reported German news agency (dpa).
Researchers from the United States and Brazil analysed data from 2003 to 2022 and discovered that just one per cent increase in the monthly deforestation rate results in an average rise of 6.3 per cent in malaria cases one month later.
The study, published on Monday in the Proceedings of the US National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), shows that the effect of deforestation on malaria risk varies from state to state. However, the overall findings indicate a clear link between deforestation and more malaria cases.
The research team explained that the Nyssorhynchus darlingi mosquito, which spreads malaria in Brazil, benefits from deforestation. After trees are cut down, these mosquitoes find better breeding habitats. They prefer clean, partially sunlit water with aquatic vegetation but free of decomposing organic matter.
Such conditions are rare in natural forests, where light is limited. But after logging, mosquitoes often find ideal breeding conditions at the edges of these cleared areas.
Additionally, humans are more likely to come into contact with mosquitoes in deforested regions, raising the risk of malaria.
Malaria is one of the world's most common infectious diseases. The disease is caused by parasites transmitted by mosquitoes. It manifests through high fever, chills, headaches and muscle aches. It can be especially deadly for small children and adults with weakened immune systems.
According to the World Health Organisation, about 249 million people in 85 countries contracted malaria in 2022, resulting in 608,000 deaths. - BERNAMA-dpa
