Climate Change Fuels Growth of Dengue Fever — Spreading to Florida Now!

by Mike Smith · 2009-12-15 11:18:00 UTC
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A global rise in temperature of only four degrees would double the speed at which dengue fever develops in mosquitoes. Climate change is equipping mosquitoes with deadly diseases even quicker than before, explained NBC. It already infects 50 million people every year. As mosquitoes breed better in warmer climes, this will only rise. The change in temperatures will further spread dengue fever from South East Asia, where it is currently contained, into Australia and even Florida where it recently recurred after 50 years. Want a side of dengue fever with your Walt Disney World Resort fun in Orlando? Didn't think so.

We reported at the start of the year that scientists may be able to end dengue fever by altering mosquitoes, but right now, it kills 40 per cent of those it infects who go untreated. Dengue fever won't cause the first climate change related deaths — 300,000 died climate change related deaths last year. Climate debt isn't just a money thing it's becoming a life or death thing. The actions of the developing world as they industrialized and developed is directly causing more people in the developing world to suffer through droughts and extreme weather and die through more vicious diseases. All delegates in Copenhagen need to be stung to take action, but thousands will unnecessarily die as dengue spreads and speeds up unless something meaningful happens.

Photo credit: James Jordan

Mike Smith
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