As global temperatures rise due to climate change, the impact on the transmission of vector-borne diseases, such as malaria, becomes increasingly evident. In Isiolo, Kenya, a 76-year-old farmer, Wilson Mutai, and a 25-year-old nursing intern, Kelvin Onkoba, highlight the destructive consequences of malaria and the challenges faced by those seeking treatment.
Mutai shares his recent malaria diagnosis, emphasising the lack of necessary medication at the local hospital. Faced with limited options, he had to seek treatment from a private doctor who could provide home-based care. Onkoba, also diagnosed with malaria, faced challenges in obtaining medication at the healthcare facility, leading him to incur additional costs for treatment.
In response to the impact of climate change on disease transmission, the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) and the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) have collaborated with the Zoonotic Disease Unit to study the effects on mosquitoes and disease transmission. The research involves setting up weather stations to monitor environmental conditions and trapping mosquitoes for analysis.
The Horn of Africa, including northern Kenya, has experienced destructive floods, contributing to stagnant waters that become breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Heavy rainfall is linked to an increase in vector-borne diseases like malaria, according to Willis Akhwale, a senior advisor for the Kenya Malaria Council.
The World Health Organization’s 2023 malaria report indicates a concerning trend, with an estimated 249 million malaria cases worldwide in 2022, surpassing the pre-pandemic level in 2019 by 16 million cases. In response to the growing crisis, two new malaria vaccines, RTS, S, and R21 Matrix M, are expected to be rolled out in several African countries in 2024.