Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Doctors fear temperature rise will spark spread of malaria and dengue

Posted at 04:18 on 20 October, 2009 UTC

Medical professionals warn that some diseases in the Pacific region will spread once the temperature rises due to climate change.

The World Medical Association has just met in India where it set out an action plan, called Declaration of Dehli, which aims to put health at the forefront of the climate change debate.

They advocate a call for funds for vulnerable countries to help strengthen their health systems and better prepare for climate emergencies.

The association’s executive councillor, Dr Mukesh Haikerwal, says there’s concern that an increase in temperature will foster more water-related illnesses in the region.

“Malaria is obviously one of these diseases, the number of people affected will increase but also the other diseases such as diarrhoeal diseases and diseases directly from dehydration and indeed directly just heat.”

Mukesh Haikerwal says dengue fever could also become a bigger problem.