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The Sting of Climate Change: Malaria and Dengue Fever in Maritime Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands

26 Nov 2008

Paul Chinnock

Source: Lowy Institute for International Policy (see original article)
Source: Daily Telegraph (see original article)

A policy brief has set out the likely impact of climate change on the prevalence of malaria and dengue fever in Southeast Asia and Australia. Both diseases are mosquito-borne.

According to the 14-page document from Australia's Lowy Institute: 'Mosquitoes are very sensitive to changes in climate. Warmer conditions allow the mosquitoes and the malaria parasite itself to develop and grow more quickly, while wetter conditions let mosquitoes live longer and breed more prolifically ... The sting of climate change is an international public health crisis being felt on Australia's tropical doorstep. It may soon be pressing on Australia's northern shores as well.'

The report also predicts that, in countries where dengue and malaria are already present, the situation will worsen as temperatures rise. Malaria is already a problem, for example, in the lowlands of Papua New Guinea but, according to the policy brief, rising temperatures will enable mosquitoes to spread into the country’s western highlands, putting another two million people at risk. In Fiji, climate change could increase the incidence of dengue fever by up to 30 per cent.

Australia has been malaria-free since 1962, but it is estimated that the disease could spread as far south as Gladstone on the mid-Queensland coast. Outbreaks of dengue fever could reach Rockhampton, 100 kilometres further north.

The report's author, Dr Sarah Potter, says the Australian government should spend money modelling the spread of malaria and dengue fever, and tighten quarantine and screening processes for visitors to the north of the country.

The policy brief may be downloaded from the Lowy Institute website here.