Surge in Disease Cases Linked to Climate Crisis in South America

Surging cases of yellow fever and dengue in South America highlight a growing health crisis linked to climate change. According to The Guardian, there have been 356 reported cases of yellow fever and 152 related deaths in South America this year, primarily in the Amazon region.

This represents one of the highest annual case counts since 1960, apart from a spike in 2017 and 2018. The situation follows Brazil's alarming dengue statistics, where nearly six point five million cases and about five thousand deaths were reported in 2024.

Last year also saw a record number of dengue cases in Europe, with 304 infections reported, more than the total from the previous fifteen years combined. Both yellow fever and dengue are transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, which thrive in warmer temperatures and stagnant water.

The climate crisis is exacerbating the spread of these diseases as rising global temperatures and intense rainfall expand the range of disease-carrying mosquitoes. Experts at the ongoing COP30 climate summit in Belem, Brazil, emphasize that health concerns have only recently gained attention in climate discussions.

The UN has declared a health day at COP30, promoting the new Belem Health Action Plan, aimed at assisting countries in addressing climate-related health issues. This initiative is backed by a coalition of 35 philanthropic organizations pledging three hundred million dollars in funding.

UN climate chief Simon Stiell stated that the climate crisis is also a public health crisis, affecting lives through rising temperatures, floods, and malnutrition. Al Gore highlighted the dire reality, noting that one person dies from heat every minute globally, emphasizing the urgent need for action.

Experts point to deforestation for agriculture and urbanization as factors bringing humans closer to wildlife, increasing the risk of zoonotic diseases. Maria Guevara from Doctors Without Borders stated that mosquitoes and bacteria are adapting more rapidly than humans can respond, highlighting the slow pace of climate action.

Rachel Vicente, a health expert in Brazil, noted the ideal conditions for mosquito breeding due to increased rainfall and temperatures, indicating that this is no longer just a tropical issue, as outbreaks have occurred in temperate regions as well.

Collaborative efforts to build resilience are necessary, as countries around the world must prepare for the health impacts of climate change.