Human+health

__Impacts__ It is feared that climate change may result in more disease and death. Some diseases include malaria and bird flu which can have dramatic effects on both the population of Australia and on the ecosystem. __Background Information__

It is predicted that more heat-related deaths for people aged over 65 will occur. At present there are 1115 deaths per year from heat in the capital cities. By 2020, it is predicted there will be an increase to 2300-2500. Also many diseases which have been eradicated will re-appear. For example mainland Australia is currently malaria-free, with the last major epidemic recorded in the Northern Territory in 1962. Even though the climate of northern mainland Australia is malaria-friendly, the population density and number of infected people is too low to maintain disease transmission. While, in southern Australia, there are fewer mosquitoes and the cooler climate is less suitable. Alarmingly, however, the National Notifiable Disease Surveillance System recorded 701 reported cases annually between 2000 and 2006, up from 193 per year from 1983 to 1991.

Further, the mosquitoes which transmit malaria (//Anopheles farauti//) can be found on the mainland of Australia. It has been predicted that by 2030 if there is an temperature increase of 1.5°C and a 10% increase in summer rainfall in northern Australia, then the mosquitoes who transmit such diseases could extend down to Gladstone, 800 km south of its present limit. This would encompass the Whitsunday Passage with its tourist population.

__Solutions__ As mosquitoes breed in standing water, removing standing water from properties is crucial to limit mosquito breeding. I n north Queensland, the current dengue fever outbreak has prompted removal of standing water and inspections of properties to ensure the opportunities for breeding are limited.

Increase human intervention in malaria control is necessary. While humans cannot change the weather, they can change the environment to minimise health risks. Key to success against these diseases is to restrict the breeding mosquitoes; improving human living conditions to reduce contact with mosquitoes; removal of breeding grounds, insecticide spraying, including; prevention of contact (bednets); preventive treatment with drugs (prophylaxis) and treatment of the parasitical infection. Once you have malaria, the parasites can remain dormant emerging years later. An increase in malaria has implications for health costs now and in the future. There are several scientific research teams actively investigating and modelling the spread of mosquito borne diseases cuased by climate change in Australia.