Malaria Caseload Surge In Kenyan Highlands May Be Linked To Climate - AFP

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Warmer temperatures linked to global warming may be responsible for surge in malaria cases in Kenya's highlands, once largely free of the mosquitos that carry the disease, scientists said Tuesday. Amid continuing debate over the health consequences of climate change, specifically the spread of vector-borne afflictions like malaria, scientists reported growing cases in the highlands that correspond to higher temperatures.

"Malaria is the most climate-sensitive, vector-borne disease affecting most of the African population," said Andrew Githeko, a researcher with Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI). "Both global warming and increased climate variability can increase malaria transmission," he told AFP on the sidelines of the 12th UN conference of parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Nairobi.

At least 15 Kenyan highland districts, compared to three in 1998, are now malaria-prone, with the most affected being Nandi Hills in the Rift Valley, Kisii in western Kenya and the central Mount Kenya region, according to KEMRI.

ED. - emphasis added.

The first cases of malaria in these districts, prevously free of the disease as cooler weather at higher altitude kept malaria-carrying mosquitos away, occurred in the 1980s and have steadily increased over the years, it said.

EDIT

http://www.terradaily.com/2006/061107163521.yj6r9h56.html