Climate change could spread malaria risk to new countries
Source: Middle East Insurance Review | Jun 2024
Climate change could see malaria cases in countries previously free of the disease, bringing new health risks for workers travelling overseas, according to health and security firm International SOS.
International SOS said malaria transmission patterns are demonstrably shifting, with climate change as a significant factor. It is predicted that this risk could grow and malaria transmission could spread into countries previously free of malaria.
The World Health Organization has predicted an additional 250,000 deaths per year by the 2030s due to climate change impacts on diseases, including malaria.
Malaria remains a significant threat globally, with 240m infections recorded in 2022. International SOS tracked a 15% increase in malaria-related assistance requests from workforces in 2023.
Some 57% of the cases were in Asia largely affecting workers in the mining industry, and 40% of cases in Africa where affected workers were largely in the oil and gas sector, mining or NGOs.
The health and security firm said all organisations with travellers to or operations in areas with malaria should assess the risk and ensure they have policies and procedures in place to mitigate that risk. These could include awareness programmes, provision of repellents and anti-malarial medicine and access to medical care. M