NiMET predicts climate-induced diseases in 2019
There could be prevalence of climate-induced diseases in many parts of Nigeria in 2019, the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMet), has warned.
The diseases according to NiMET are malaria, cerebrospinal meningitis and respiratory infection among others.
In its 2019 Seasonal Rainfall Prediction (SRP), the meteorological agency forecasts that high temperature, rainfall and relative humidity as well as harmattan dust are factors that will trigger the diseases.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), NiMET 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.
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. It further 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.
“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.
