HOT ZONES JOURNEY TO PLANET EARTH

Kenya Malaria
Peru Dengue Fever
Bangladesh Cholera epidemics
US West Nile Virus

Environmental Change & Infectious Disease
1970s new vaccines and antibiotics winning war against infectious diseases.
Scientist confident major killers were retreating, however HIV/AIDS ended
this
Last 30 years dramatic upsurge of insect and water borne diseases
malaria, cholera, dengue fever.
US West Nile virus is rampant.
East Africa, Lake Victoria
One of the largest freshwater lakes and sustains over 30 thousand people
Malaria capital of the world
3500 children in Kombaywa. Over 600 will die before theyre 6.
Located near equator hot, steamy weather, and perfect breeding ground
for mosquito carrier of malaria
80% of local population may be affected by malaria at any one time
High mortality due to complications throughout the attack of malaria, before
an immunity can be established to the disease
20% children under 5 die of malaria in this region
Fatalities occur due to lack of good health facilities and access to adequate
medical supplies
Rew sewage, agricultural run off are destroying the lakes ecosystem, so
livelihoods are being threatened. Many forced to migrate to larger cities.
Most popular destination for migration is Nairobi a metropolis of over 2
million people.
Kibera
o When people come into cities e.g. Nairobi, they bring the epidemics
o 50,000 migrants crammed into less than 2 square miles in
shantytowns.
o 80% unemployment, and nearly all live on less than $2 day.
o No sanitation facilities, and suffers from variety of deadly diseases.
Malaria considered a disease of rural areas, not cities.
To get malaria, must have 3 things - people that have malaria, mosquito to
transmit it, verify mosquito is carrying the disease.
The anopheles mosquito was present in Nairobi because the environment
was changing. Growing crops in the shanty towns has created perfect
breeding area for the mosquito. Agricultural practises next to high density
housing transmission.

Peru
Goal to enter hot zone of infection in Amazon and determine source
1997 malaria had risen that 1/3 population had it in a year
People have had it for 1-13 times
1965 only 1500 cases in all of Peru, today, over 165,000
in Bora Village now have to sleep with mosquito nets, the Bora children are
being repeatedly affected and situation is deteriorating, 3 deaths in past
week.
Mosquito Eradication Programs abandoned due to economic crisis.
Deforested areas water sampled widespread infestation of the anopheles
mosquito - link between malaria and clear cutting of the rainforest.
o Deforestation soil composition, pH of water, shade on forest floor
etc. As these change, breeding sites for mosquitos also change.
Clear cut for cattle ranching today, and forest not able to grow back. These
pastures are highly suitable for mosquito breeding.
Insect-borne diseases are adapting to cities e.g. Malaria

Iquitos, Ecuador (on Equator)
Centre of commerce on upper Amazon river
Those in shanty towns suffer from malaria and dengue fever.
Wasnt a threat 10 years ago, but dengue has reached epidemic proportion
5% of victims die
Cities can create their own ecology for disease, suitable for the mosquitos
In Quitos, adus agyptai mosquito
Anything that holds water is a potential breeding ground. Old tyres, basins,
wells etc. the mosquito found its ideal environment.
Completely urbanized mosquito who has adapted to humans, and thus can
travel with them on planes and boats, so humans transmit the virus also.
1950s eradicated most insect borne diseases in US etc.
US spends $350million annually to protect borders against infectious
diseases.
o Careful attention paid to horses. Blood samples quarantine
results. If positive, take back to country, or destroy them.
During summer 1999, NYC became hot zone for West Nile Virus
o Crows died (indicator species)
o Woman died of encephalitis
o 7 died
West Nile Virus predicted to have arrived via mosquito on plane.
Selective spraying of pesticides commenced when birds start to die in
summer indicating West Nile virus to follow
General
Diseases knows no borders
1.1 billion people who dont have access to clean water and 2.5 billion w/o
access to sanitation services
Diarrhoea claims lives of 3 million/year
Lima
9million people
Wealthier parts of town, water piped in from mountains
Situated in one of the driest deserts of the world
Slums surrounding
o Most live without electricity
o Huts made of sticks, salvaged steal etc.
o No sanitation
o Life expectancy of a child 10 years less than in developed world
o Intestinal infections common
Most serious infection, cholera, was non existent until recently.
Largest cholera epidemic to strike southern hemisphere 1991
Cholera causes severe diarrhoea and vomiting, dehydrating patients, with
death within hours.
Impact on fishing industry people thought seafood was the problem,
however this was never the problem.
Occurs when infected human waste contaminates the water supply
Within 1 month, crossed and struck Iquitos. Drink, wash and bathe in same
water used for a toilet. Continued to move north and reached Mexico.
More than 1million infected, 11 000 dead.
Today, semi-treated sewage still goes into pacific
o Can impoverished cities provide adequate sanitation systems to cope
with rising populations?
Yes
E.g. Via El Salvador is today a thriving community, where the
poor organized their own infrastructure. Paved streets,
electivity, small manufacturing sector (employment),
communal health centres & kitchens for those in need,
sewage system and lean running water.
Venta Nia starting to improve its infrastructure.
Predicted 70% less diarrhoea less mortality
Cause of epidemic in 1991, major El Nino effect in the Pacific warming
of the ocean. Perfect conditions for growth of algae that nourish cholera
bacteria.
Cholera epidemics explode waters of Peru warmed by intense el Nino
(1990-1992) large increases in plankton populations that carried the
cholera bacteria. Epidemic because people drink water with the plankton
and thus bacteria.

Bangladesh
South Asia