Leishmaniasis and Climate Change—Case Study: Argentina

Abstract

Vector-borne diseases closely associated with the environment, such as leishmaniases, have been a usual argument about the deleterious impact of climate change on public health. From the biological point of view interaction of different variables has different and even conflicting effects on the survival of vectors and the probability transmission of pathogens. The results on ecoepidemiology of leishmaniasis in Argentina related to climate variables at different scales of space and time are presented. These studies showed that the changes in transmission due to change or increase in frequency and intensity of climatic instability were expressed through changes in the probability of vector-human reservoir effective contacts. These changes of contact in turn are modulated by both direct effects on the biology and ecology of the organisms involved, as by perceptions and changes in the behavior of the human communities at risk. Therefore, from the perspective of public health and state policy, and taking into account the current nonlinear increased velocity of climate change, we concluded that discussing the uncertainties of large-scale models will have lower impact than to develop-validate mitigation strategies to be operative at local level, and compatibles with sustainable development, conservation biodiversity, and respect for cultural diversity.

Environmental Niche Modelling of Phlebotomine Sand Flies and Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Identifies Lutzomyia intermedia as the Main Vector Species in Southeastern Brazil

“…Temperature and humidity have positive effects on the activity and abundance of phlebotomine sand flies, which depends on the species [47,58]. In the neighbouring state of Rio de Janeiro, L .…”

Exploring Spatial and Temporal Distribution of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in the Americas, 2001–2011

“…Also, Argentina recorded outbreaks in the Bella Vista, Formosa, and Salta Counties [31, 32]. In addition, the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) has caused a growth of deforestation and of the Phlebotomine population, which has led to the rise of occurrence of CL [33–36]. Studies conducted in Colombia showed an association between increase of CL incidence rates during the El Niño and decline during the La Niña [4, 23].…”

Bayesian Geostatistical Modeling of Leishmaniasis Incidence in Brazil

“…In Colombia, the probability of CL presence based on ecological zones and environmental variables was explored by King et al (2004) [27]. In Argentina, Salomón et al (2012) [28] modeled CL incidence using maximum entropy modeling. To date, efforts for estimating the associated risk and the predicted spatial distribution of leishmaniasis in Brazil are limited to small geographical areas.…”