Fighting Malaria: Addressing Climate Change, Anticipating for Better Action
In this interview, Eric Fleutelot, Technical Director of the Major Pandemics Unit at Expertise France, sheds light on how L’Initiative approaches the issue of climate change and its commitment to the "One Health" approach.
What is the link between climate change and pandemics?
There is a proven and multi-factorial link between climate change and pandemics. Firstly, warmer temperatures, increased humidity levels and extreme weather conditions create favourable environments for the reproduction of disease vectors, such as mosquitos carrying dengue fever, malaria and the Zika virus. Climatic changes can also extend the geographical areas where infectious diseases can spread, potentially affecting populations that previously had little exposure. Secondly, extreme or previously unknown weather events in certain geographical areas can destroy health facilities and drinking water supply systems, exposing populations to an increased risk of communicable diseases. In addition, these populations may be forced to move and leave their homes to survive, meaning they will face new risks, especially due to their impoverishment, their vulnerability, and also overcrowding. The latter, as we know, also increases the spread of diseases such as tuberculosis.
How does L’Initiative deal with the issue of climate change?
L’Initiative is, of course, working to address these new challenges. For example, by helping countries improve vector surveillance, in particular to anticipate the impact of the arrival of new mosquito species (such as the Anopheles stephensi from the Arabian Peninsula), which are resistant to insecticides and more adapted to urban environments. We’ve recently deployed technical assistance to the Djibouti National Malaria Control Programme (PNLP) to increase the sequencing capabilities of the national reference laboratory. The objective is to now enable a regular surveillance of Plasmodium falciparum in a country that acts as a gateway for Stephensi. Furthermore, L’Initiative has decided to work on building the capacities of entomologists in Central and East Africa, regions which are especially exposed to climate change. Training has been planned to provide quality teaching, including climate change issues and the creation of a regional exchange network.
Can you tell us about L’Initiative’s commitment to the One Health approach?
The stakeholders involved in the fight against malaria have been using the One Health approach for a long time, and L’Initiative is obviously by their side! In terms of the operational research portfolio alone, we’re currently supporting six projects in Sub-Saharan Africa on various aspects of malaria. They include preventive and treatment strategies for the most vulnerable groups, as well as entomological analyses to refine the surveillance of the parasite. We’re also receiving the first requests for technical assistance with a One Health ambition that goes beyond malaria. For example, with support from L’Initiative, the Dominican Republic is planning to develop a public health strategy that takes account of aspects concerning the environment, animal health and human health.