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Climate Change and Human Health Literature Portal The potential financial costs of climate change on health of urban and rural citizens: A case study of Vibrio cholerae infections at Bukavu Town, South Kivu Province, Eastern of Democratic Republic of Congo

Climate Change and Human Health Literature Portal

Munyuli MBT, Kavuvu JMM, Mulinganya G, Bwinja GM
2013
Iranian Journal of Public Health. 42 (7): 707-725

Background: Cholera epidemics have a recorded history in eastern Congo dating to 1971. A study was conducted to find out the linkage between climate variability/change and cholera outbreak and to assess the related economic cost in the management of cholera in Congo. Methods: This study integrates historical data (20 years) on temperature and rainfall with the burden of disease from cholera in South-Kivu province, eastern Congo. Results: Analyses of precipitation and temperatures characteristics in South-Kivu provinces showed that cholera epidemics are closely associated with climatic factors variability. Peaks in Cholera new cases were in synchrony with peaks in rainfalls. Cholera infection cases declined significantly (P<0.05) with the rise in the average temperature. The monthly number of new Cholera cases oscillated between 5 and 450. For every rise of the average temperature by 0.35 degrees C to 0.75 degrees C degree Celsius, and for every change in the rainfall variability by 10-19%, it is likely cholera infection risks will increase by 17 to 25%. The medical cost of treatment of Cholera case infection was found to be of US$50 to 250 per capita. The total costs of Cholera attributable to climate change were found to fall in the range of 4 to 8% of the per capita in annual income in Bukavu town. Conclusion: It is likely that high rainfall favor multiplication of the bacteria and contamination of water sources by the bacteria (Vibrio cholerae). The consumption of polluted water, promiscuity, population density and lack of hygiene are determinants favoring spread and infection of the bacteria among human beings living in over-crowded environments.

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Resource Description

    Extreme Weather-Related Event or Disaster, Food Security, Temperature, Water Quality
    • Extreme Weather-Related Event or Disaster, Food Security, Temperature, Water Quality: Flood
    • Extreme Weather-Related Event or Disaster, Food Security, Temperature, Water Quality: Crop/Plant Food Security
    • Extreme Weather-Related Event or Disaster, Food Security, Temperature, Water Quality: Variability
    • Extreme Weather-Related Event or Disaster, Food Security, Temperature, Water Quality: Marine/Freshwater Pathogen
    Rural, Urban
    Non-United States
    • Non-United States: Africa
    Infectious Disease
    • Infectious Disease: Foodborne Disease, Vectorborne Disease, Waterborne Disease
      • Foodborne Disease, Vectorborne Disease, Waterborne Disease: Other Foodborne Disease, Specify, Cholera (foodborne), Diarrheal Disease, Unspecified
        • Other Foodborne Disease, Specify, Cholera (foodborne), Diarrheal Disease, Unspecified: Typhoid; worms; Hepatitis; Dysentery
        Foodborne Disease (other)
      • Foodborne Disease, Vectorborne Disease, Waterborne Disease: Fly-borne Disease, Mosquito-borne Disease
        • Fly-borne Disease, Mosquito-borne Disease: Other Fly-borne Disease, Specify
          • Other Fly-borne Disease, Specify: Filariasis
          Fly-borne Disease (other)
        • Fly-borne Disease, Mosquito-borne Disease: Malaria
        Fly-borne DiseaseMosquito-borne Disease
      • Foodborne Disease, Vectorborne Disease, Waterborne Disease: Cholera (waterborne), Diarrheal Disease, Unspecified, Other Waterborne Disease, Specify
        • Cholera (waterborne), Diarrheal Disease, Unspecified, Other Waterborne Disease, Specify: Typhoid; worms; Hepatitis; Dysentery
        Waterborne Disease (other)
      Foodborne DiseaseVectorborne DiseaseWaterborne Disease
    Review Article
    Adaptation, Climate Justice/Climate Equity, Health Sector Influence, Sociodemographic Vulnerability, Vulnerable Population
    • Adaptation, Climate Justice/Climate Equity, Health Sector Influence, Sociodemographic Vulnerability, Vulnerable Population: Adaptation Co-Benefit/Co-Harm, Vulnerability Assessment
    • Adaptation, Climate Justice/Climate Equity, Health Sector Influence, Sociodemographic Vulnerability, Vulnerable Population: Children
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