NiMet warns of climate-induced diseases in 2019

The Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMet), has warned that there
could be prevalence of climate-induced diseases such as malaria,
cerebrospinal meningitis and respiratory diseases in many parts of
Nigeria in 2019.

Dusty weather

NiMet’s forecast, in its 2019 Seasonal Rainfall Prediction (SRP),
projects that high temperature, rainfall and relative humidity as well
as harmattan dust are factors that will trigger the diseases.

It predicted that incidences of malaria and other diseases would be
higher in areas with high temperatures in the range of 18 to 32 degrees
Celsius associated with high relative humidity above 60 per cent
precipitation.

It said areas covered by thick vegetation that provide environmental
conditions conducive for the survival of vector and development of
malaria parasites were also prone to malaria spread.

According to NiMet, climatic and environmental conditions expected
for January, February, March and April will make many states vulnerable
to incidences of malaria.

“High vigilance is required over the coastal cities of Lagos,
Abakiliki, Eket and Calabar; moderate vigilance over parts of Lagos,
Ogun, Ondo and southern states and low vigilance over the rest of the
country.

“In February, high vigilance is advisable over parts of Lagos, Ogun
and southern states; moderate vigilance required over Ogun, Owerri,
southern states and parts of Lagos and Enugu states, while the rest will
require low vigilance.

“In March, high vigilance is required over southern states; moderate
vigilance over the inland states of Enugu, Ondo Ebonyi and parts of
Kogi, Cross River, Benue, Ogun, Osun, Ondo and Delta states.

“In April, high vigilance is required over the south and parts of
Kogi, Benue, Plateau and Kwara states and moderate vigilance over Abuja,
parts of Kogi, Kwara, Niger, Nassarawa, Benue, Plateau and Taraba
states,’’ it stated.

On cerebrospinal meningitis, NiMet disclosed that low relative
humidity, no rainfall, high temperatures, dry north easterly winds and
surface dust conditions would encourage the spread of the disease up to
mid-March.

It said that the meningitis epidemiologic season would observe slight
increase in cases due to intensifying effects of harmattan over the
northern and central states.

On respiratory diseases, NiMet warned that harmattan dust in the
months of December to mid-March would likely increase the incidences of
asthma, bronchitis, flu silicosis and lung cancer.

It disclosed that warm conditions were expected over the country
during the months of February to May, adding that heat related ailments
such as measles and heat rashes were expected during the hot season.

According to NiMet, the information and projections provided will
assist health policy makers to plan early warning and reduce the
negative outcome with good lead time.

“Early warning would assist health authorities such as the Nigerian
Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to develop effective vaccination
strategies to prevent outbreaks,’’ NiMet said.