PESHAWAR: The World Health Organization’s (WHO) annual malaria report has underscored the alarming consequences of climate change on malaria, revealing a five-fold increase in cases in Pakistan due to catastrophic flooding in 2022.
The report explores the intricate connection between climate change and the incidence of malaria, emphasizing the influence of temperature, humidity, and rainfall on the behavior and survival of malaria-carrying mosquitoes.
“Extreme weather events, such as heatwaves and flooding, can also directly impact transmission and disease burden. Catastrophic flooding in Pakistan in 2022, for example, led to a five-fold increase in malaria cases in the country,” states the report.
Despite global efforts to expand access to preventive measures like insecticide-treated nets and medicines, the report indicates a surge in malaria cases worldwide. In 2022, an estimated 249 million malaria cases were reported globally, surpassing the pre-pandemic level of 233 million in 2019 by 16 million cases.
Five countries, including Pakistan, witnessed substantial increases, with Pakistan alone experiencing the largest surge—2.6 million cases in 2022 compared to 500,000 in 2021. Other countries affected include Ethiopia, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, and Uganda.
The global malaria response faces a myriad of challenges, including disruptions caused by COVID-19, drug and insecticide resistance, humanitarian crises, resource constraints, climate change impacts, and delays in program implementation, particularly in high-burden countries.
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, emphasizes the substantial risk that climate change poses to malaria progress, especially in vulnerable regions. He calls for sustainable and resilient malaria responses, coupled with urgent actions to mitigate global warming effects.
Climate variability is expected to indirectly affect malaria trends through reduced access to essential services and disruptions in the supply chain of preventive tools. Population displacement due to climate-induced factors may also contribute to increased malaria cases as individuals migrate to endemic areas without immunity.
The report advocates for a comprehensive approach to combatting malaria, emphasizing increased resources, political commitment, data-driven strategies, and innovative tools. Innovation should prioritize the development of efficient, effective, and affordable products. Addressing the added threat of climate change necessitates sustainable and resilient malaria responses aligned with broader climate change mitigation efforts. The report underscores the importance of whole-of-society engagement to build integrated approaches in the fight against malaria.
