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Climate Change and Human Health Literature Portal Zika virus syndrome, lack of environmental policies and risks of worsening by cyanobacteria proliferation in a climate change scenario

Climate Change and Human Health Literature Portal

Oliver SL, Ribeiro H
2020
Revista de Saude Publica. 54: 83

Almost half of the Brazilian population has no access to sewage collection and treatment. Untreated effluents discharged in waters of reservoirs for human supply favor the flowering of cyanobacteria - and these microorganisms produce toxins, such as saxitoxin, which is a very potent neurotoxin present in reservoirs in the Northeast region. A recent study confirmed that chronic ingestion of neurotoxin-infected water associated with Zika virus infection could lead to a microcephaly-like outcome in pregnant mice. Cyanobacteria benefit from hot weather and organic matter in water, a condition that has been intensified by climate change, according to our previous studies. Considering the new findings, we emphasize that zika arbovirus is widespread and worsened when associated with climate change, especially in middle- or low-income countries with low levels of sanitation coverage.

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Resource Description

    Temperature, Water Quality
    • Temperature, Water Quality: Heat
    • Temperature, Water Quality: Marine/Freshwater Biotoxin, Marine/Freshwater Pathogen
    Non-United States
    • Non-United States: Central/South America
    Infectious Disease
    • Infectious Disease: Vectorborne Disease
      • Vectorborne Disease: Mosquito-borne Disease
        • Mosquito-borne Disease: Zika
        Mosquito-borne Disease
      Vectorborne Disease
    Review Article
    Sociodemographic Vulnerability, Vulnerable Population
    • Sociodemographic Vulnerability, Vulnerable Population: Low Socioeconomic Status
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