Impact of dams and irrigation schemes in Anopheline (Diptera: Culicidae) bionomics and malaria epidemiology

Abstract

SUMMARYIrrigation schemes and dams have posed a great concern on public health systems of several countries, mainly in the tropics. The focus of the present review is to elucidate the different ways how these human interventions may have an effect on population dynamics of anopheline mosquitoes and hence, how local malaria transmission patterns may be changed. We discuss different studies within the three main tropical and sub-tropical regions (namely Africa, Asia and the Pacific and the Americas). Factors such as prehuman impact malaria epidemiological patterns, control measures, demographic movements, human behaviour and local Anopheles bionomics would determine if the implementation of an irrigation scheme or a dam will have negative effects on human health. Some examples of successful implementation of control measures in such settings are presented. The use of Geographic Information System as a powerful tool to assist on the study and control of malaria in these scenarios is also highlighted.

Malaria Transmission around the Memve’ele Hydroelectric Dam in South Cameroon: A Combined Retrospective and Prospective Study, 2000–2016

“…In 2005, it was estimated that a total 3.1 million people were at risk of malaria due to dams in sub-Saharan Africa [24]. Sanchez et al [25] reported different patterns of malaria transmission in areas around large and small dams. Using a more extensive data set, Kibret et al [26] reported that more than 15 million people were at risk and that 1.1 million cases a year were associated with 1268 large dams in South-Saharan Africa.…”

Beyond diversity loss and climate change: Impacts of Amazon deforestation on infectious diseases and public health

“…Amazon deforestation and other perturbations in the forest landscape are fundamental consequences of the construction of hydroelectric dams, waterways and irrigation systems (Sanchez-Ribas et al 2012, Tundisi et al 2014, Fearnside 2015. A good example is the Belo Monte hydroelectric power plant, which significantly changed the landscape of the Xingu River in the Brazilian Amazon, flooding an area of 516 km 2 [228 km 2 (44%) corresponding to the original riverbed and seasonally flooded area] (ANA 2019).…”

“…The strongest effect of dam construction on the dynamics of infectious diseases concerns vector proliferation. Flooding of hitherto dry areas creates new breeding sites for disease vectors, especially mosquitoes, which contributes to the increase in the cases of various arboviral and parasitic infections (Sanchez-Ribas et al 2012, Fearnside 2015, Brito et al 2018.…”

Human needs and environmental rights to water: a biocultural systems approach to hydrodevelopment and management

“…Changes in downstream water quality have decimated the fisheries, waterfowl and mammals of the world's deltas, causing for example, by the year 2000 the endangerment or extinction for some 30% of the world's fresh water fish (WCD 2000). Damming and flood control have also resulted in increases in the frequency and severity of floods (WCD 2000), have played a role in inducing earthquakes (Qiu 2012), and have prompted increases in the transmission and prevalence of vector‐borne and parasitic diseases such as malaria and schistosomiasis (Sanchez‐Ribas et al 2012).…”