The Impact of Climate Change on Vector-Borne Diseases in Haiti

 

Climate change poses a significant threat to developing countries impacting ecosystems, socio-economic development, and public health. Haiti is not an exception. Its diverse manifestations, including droughts, floods, and extreme weather events, disrupt biodiversity and contribute to the emergence and spread of human and animal diseases. While Haiti contributes minimally to global greenhouse gas emissions, it heavily feels the consequences. Ecosystems around the intertropical convergence zone are particularly vulnerable, potentially linked to the occurrence of vector-borne diseases. Although evidence suggests climate change amplifies vector-borne diseases, research specifically exploring this link in Haiti remains limited.

This study explores the link between climate change and the spread of diseases carried by insects and other animals (vector-borne diseases) in Haiti it addresses the double threat of climate change and vector-borne diseases in Haiti, exploring both global and local perspectives. It examines the impact on health, the current landscape of these diseases. It suggests areas for future research and proposes solutions for decision-makers. Understanding these connections is crucial for Haiti to safeguard public health and lessen the harm caused by climate change.

Climate change and environmental degradation

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) paints a sobering picture of our future, predicting global temperature increases ranging from 1.4 to 5.8°C by 2100. This warming will impact both human and ecological systems, from rain to humidity. Developing countries as Haiti face substantial challenges due to these changes. Rising temperatures and increasingly frequent droughts create a perfect storm for new environmental threats. Studies in Haitian cities have already detected harmful pathogens like Cryptosporidium oocyst in both surface water and groundwater used for drinking, highlighting the potential health risks. Climate change not only affects water resources but also influences the behavior and survival of infectious agents. Increased rainfall can facilitate the spread of pathogens, while higher temperatures allow them to thrive and persist for longer periods. Its geography and demography enhance the risks. Situated at the meeting point of tectonic plates, Haiti experiences frequent earthquakes and sits in the direct path of storms while rapid population growth and deforestation exacerbate the impact of these events. Haiti ranked third among nations most affected by climate risks between 1993 and 2012. These environments threats also affect its socio-economic aspect.

 

Climate change & environmental alterations: effects on health & vector-borne diseases

Climate change, driven by greenhouse gas emissions from industrialized nations, is causing major climatic disturbances. These changes, including rainfall shifts and extreme weather events, are linked to the emergence and re-emergence of infectious diseases, particularly those transmitted by vectors like mosquitoes and ticks. Human activities are linked also, deforestation and travel can exacerbate ecological imbalances, introducing new pathogens and promoting disease transmission.

While establishing the precise role of climate in these diseases is complex, organizations like the IPCC warn of changes in vector-borne disease transmission. Examples include the rapid spread of Chikungunya in 2007 and 2014, likely facilitated by changing mosquito distribution and human mobility. Similar scenarios might be unfolding with other mosquito-borne diseases like dengue and Zika.

Considering the vulnerable agriculture, deforestation and pests threaten food security and health, CO2 absorption raises acidity, harming marine life and impacting food chains. The "One Health" approach recognizes the interconnection between human, animal, and environmental health.

 

Vector-Borne Diseases in Haiti: Epidemiological Landscape

Mosquitoes are the most prevalent vectors in Haiti, transmitting diseases like dengue, chikungunya, and Zika. However, other vectors like ticks, flies, sandflies, and fleas also pose threats. Fighting these vector-borne requires a deep understanding of their epidemiology. This involves gathering crucial information about the pathogens, vectors, and disease characteristics. It includes: 1) Knowing if they are cultivable, their source (animals, environment, humans), and susceptibility to treatments (pathogen) 2) Understanding their distribution, competence (ability to transmit the disease), and capacity (influenced by environmental factors, vector density, and infectiousness).                 3)Determining incubation period, transmission duration, and impact of physical and infectious agents (diseases).

A major public health problem, malaria is primarily transmitted by Anopheles mosquitoes. While Haiti aimed to eliminate the disease by 2020, it fell short.

However, while not yet considered a major disease, dengue fever is transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes and has been detected in Haiti. Studies have shown high seroprevalence of dengue antibodies in the population, suggesting hyperendemic transmission.

First detected in Haiti in 2014, chikungunya caused widespread illness with severe arthralgia. Serological tests indicate rapid and intense spread of the virus.

Zika virus infection, linked to congenital microcephaly and neurological complications, emerged in Haiti in 2015. Although often asymptomatic, thousands of suspected cases were reported. Strengthening surveillance and laboratory capacity is essential.

Conclusion: Vector-borne diseases pose a significant public health burden in Haiti.

 

Climate Change and The Global Health Approach

What is One Health? Why is it important?

One Health emphasizes that solving complex health problems requires collaboration across disciplines. It acknowledges how changes in the environment, where humans and animals co-exist, influence disease outbreaks. The American Veterinary Medical Association defines it as "a joint effort to optimize human, animal, and environmental health." This approach goes beyond zoonoses (diseases transmitted from animals to humans), encompassing food safety, security, antimicrobial resistance, and climate change responses. This approach offers promising solutions for climate change adaptation. For example, promoting sustainable livestock practices, improving animal feed quality, and establishing integrated surveillance systems can enhance food security and combat vector-borne diseases, particularly in developing countries.

 

Direct and indirect impacts of climate change on human health

Direct impacts

a)extreme temperatures which can cause heatstroke, respiratory problems, and increased mortality, particularly among vulnerable populations.  b) the distribution and abundance of disease-carrying vectors like mosquitoes and ticks, leading to the spread of vector-borne diseases. c) Increased air pollution, including ozone and particulate matter, can trigger respiratory illnesses like asthma and COPD.                           d) Floods and droughts can contaminate water sources, leading to outbreaks of waterborne diseases like cholera and diarrhea.

Indirect impacts

These are: food security, mental health, and economic impacts.

Impacts on Animal health: Climate change affects animal health directly through heat stress and indirectly through changes in feed availability, pathogen distribution, and vector abundance.

Vector control methods

These are respectively biological, physical, chemical, and sanitary:             a) the use of larvivorous fish in water bodies.                                 b) use of Use barriers like mosquito nets and modification of the environment to reduce vector populations        c) use of larvicides, indoor spraying, insecticide-treated nets, and space spraying (judiciously).                     d) improving overall environmental health by removing sources of unhealthy conditions.

 

Conclusion

As climatologist Katharine Hayhoe emphasizes, "climate change is real, humans are responsible, and its consequences are serious." Heat waves, ocean acidification, and other climate-related changes affect the life cycles of these vectors, favoring their spread and enabling the emergence of new diseases. This expansion extends the reach of existing vector-borne diseases into previously unaffected regions, particularly temperate zones.  Strengthening surveillance, improving laboratory capacity, and conducting further research are crucial steps to protect Haiti's population from these potentially devastating illnesses. Addressing climate change and its impact on vector-borne diseases requires a global, multidisciplinary approach to protect human health and our planet's well-being.


DOI: https://doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.96037

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