Health

Malaria Spreads to Highlands Amid Environmental Degradation

The Reporter (Amharic) · 2 hours ago · Read the Full Story on The Reporter (Amharic)
Malaria Spreads to Highlands Amid Environmental Degradation
AI SUMMARY

The Ministry of Health announced that malaria and other diseases are spreading to previously unaffected highland areas due to environmental degradation and climate change.

  • The Ministry of Health announced that malaria is spreading into regions where the disease was previously non-existent, driven by environmental degradation and climate change.
  • While malaria transmission was historically restricted to lowland and tropical areas, the disease is now reaching highland locations.
  • Environmental degradation and climate change are also causing the spread of waterborne diseases, respiratory issues, Dengue, and Chikungunya in regions including Afar, Dire Dawa, and parts of Amhara.
  • Studies confirm that international outbreaks like Ebola and Mpox are linked to environmental degradation, which increases human-animal contact.
  • If climate change continues unchecked, there is a significant risk that eradicated diseases could re-emerge in epidemic form.
  • The Ministry of Health has established a task force involving relevant institutions and stakeholders to mitigate these health risks.
  • Dr. Abebe Shibru, Country Director of MSI Ethiopia, warned that environmental degradation severely impacts reproductive health access for youth, women, and mothers, while damaging education, agriculture, and other sectors.