WHO: Global warming to lead to hike in dengue, malaria cases in RP

MANILA, Philippines - Global warming will contribute to the rise in dengue and malaria cases in the Philippines and their spread to other countries in the Asia Pacific Region, an official of the World Health Organization (WHO) warned Tuesday. Dr. Shegiru Omi, outgoing regional director of WHO Western Pacific region, said that the impact of climate change or global warming would be diverse and one of this is the possible increase in the cases of dengue and malaria. “Global warming would expand the range of mosquitos that carry malaria and dengue to areas other than their natural South-East Asia habitat," Omi said. Records of the Department of Health (DoH) indicated that from Jan. 1 to Aug. 2, a total of 19,658 dengue patients were admitted to various hospitals nationwide. However, Health officials said the cases reported are 10.8 percent lower compared to the same period last year having a total of 22,028. Metro Manila accounts for 29.4 percent of the cases, followed by Central Luzon with 12.4 percent, Calabarzon with 10.4 percent, Davao with 8.3 percent, Zamboanga Peninsula with 7.8 percent, and Central Visayas with 7.3 percent. The DOH said the most number of dengue cases were reported in Manila at 1,252, followed by Quezon City at 1,211, and Caloocan City at 812. Aside from the rising cases of dengue and malaria, Omi said “that some low-lying island states in the Pacific were at risk from rising ocean levels, while heat waves and droughts elsewhere were among the many factors contributing to the global food crisis." Because of this, Omi said there is a need to strengthen health systems and to prepare for climate change as two of the gravest health challenges facing countries in the Asia Pacific region. While noting that significant progress had been made on a number of health fronts, including the fight against communicable diseases, Omi admitted that much work remains to be done on other issues. He noted that on the issue of strengthening health systems, which includes tasks such as health care financing and building up human resources. - GMANews.TV