Assessing the impact of waterborne diseases as a result of climate change in Liberia: a case study of marshall wetlands 2005-2011.
Climate directly impacts the occurrence of waterborne disease through effects on the water temperature and precipitation frequency and intensity. “These effects are pathogen and pollutant specific, and risks for human disease are markedly affected by local conditions, including regional water and sewage treatment capacities and practices. Domestic water treatment plants may be susceptible to climate change leading to human health risks. For example, droughts may cause problems with increased concentrations of effluent pathogens and overwhelm water treatment plants; aging water treatment plants are particularly at risk. Urbanization of coastal regions may lead to additional nutrient, chemical, and pathogen loading in runoff. (Waterborne Diseases. http://www.cdc.gov/climatechange/effects/waterborne.htm, retrieved 13 April, 2011.)”
There is still a lot more to be discovered about the impacts of weather and climate on specific pathogens. Climate also indirectly impacts waterborne disease through changes in ocean and coastal ecosystems. Changes in the pH, nutrient and contaminant runoff, salinity, and water security are imminent. This affects and results in the degradation of fresh water for drinking, washing food, cooking, and irrigation. Developing and emerging economies are the most affected because a majority of their population still relies on water from untreated surface water of rivers, streams and other open sources.
“Ecosystem degradation from climate change will likely result in pressure on agricultural productivity, crop failure, malnutrition, starvation, increasing population displacement, and resource conflict, all of which are predisposing factors for increased human susceptibility and increased risk of waterborne disease transmission due to surface water contamination with human waste and increased contact with such waters through washing and consumption. Climate change may also affect the distribution and concentrations of chemical contaminants in coastal and ocean waters, for example through release of chemical contaminants previously bound up in polar ice sheets or sediments, through changes in volume and composition of runoff from coastal and watershed development, or through changes in coastal and ocean goods and services. Both naturally occurring and pollution-related ocean health threats will likely be exacerbated by climate change. Other climate-related environmental changes may impact marine food webs as well, such as pesticide runoff, leaching of arsenic, fluoride, and nitrates from fertilizers, and lead contamination of drinking and recreational waters through excess rainfall and flooding. (Waterborne Diseases. http://www.cdc.gov/climatechange/effects/waterborne.htm, retrieved 13 April, 2011.)”
The following is a list of food or waterborne diseases and water contact diseases in Liberia:
Hepatitis A - viral disease that interferes with the functioning of the liver; spread through consumption of food or water contaminated with fecal matter, principally in areas of poor sanitation; victims exhibit fever, jaundice, and diarrhea; 15% of victims will experience prolonged symptoms over 6-9 months; vaccine available.
Hepatitis E - water-borne viral disease that interferes with the functioning of the liver; most commonly spread through fecal contamination of drinking water; victims exhibit jaundice, fatigue, abdominal pain, and dark colored urine.
Typhoid fever - bacterial disease spread through contact with food or water contaminated by fecal matter or sewage; victims’ exhibit sustained high fevers; left untreated, mortality rates can reach 20%.
water contact diseases acquired through swimming or wading in freshwater lakes, streams, and rivers:
Leptospirosis - bacterial disease that affects animals and humans; infection occurs through contact with water, food, or soil contaminated by animal urine; symptoms include high fever, severe headache, vomiting, jaundice, and diarrhea; untreated, the disease can result in kidney damage, liver failure, meningitis, or respiratory distress; fatality rates are low but left untreated recovery can take months.
Schistosomiasis - caused by parasitic trematode flatworm Schistosoma; fresh water snails act as intermediate host and release larval form of parasite that penetrates the skin of people exposed to contaminated water; worms mature and reproduce in the blood vessels, liver, kidneys, and intestines releasing eggs, which become trapped in tissues triggering an immune response; may manifest as either urinary or intestinal disease resulting in decreased work or learning capacity; mortality, while generally low, may occur in advanced cases usually due to bladder cancer; endemic in 74 developing countries with 80% of infected people living in sub-Saharan Africa; humans act as the reservoir for this parasite.
(Liberia Major Infectious Diseases. http://www.indexmundi.com/liberia/major_infectious_diseases.html, retrieved 13 April, 2011.)”
UNICEF and FACE Africa (with the support of their celebrity ambassadors) are two organizations working to bring clean water and improve sanitation conditions in Liberia. “UNICEF and its partners have introduced a far-reaching new initiative to reduce the number of Liberian families falling ill and dying from unsafe water. The initiative – which is supported by UNICEF, Population Services International (PSI) and the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare – will promote the use of basic hygiene and safe water. WaterGuard™, a household water treatment solution, is now available for all Liberians at risk of preventable waterborne diseases such as cholera, diarrhea and typhoid. (Liberia launches safe-water campaign to prevent disease outbreaks. http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/liberia_51417.html, retrieved 13 April, 2011.)” FACE Africa is an organization that works specifically to bring clean water and improve sanitation in Liberia. Celebrities such as Dikembe Mutombo (NBA player), Whitney Port (TV personality), and Marcus Samuelson (Chef) are making an impact on the movement to rebuild Liberia. In so doing, lives that are lost from preventable water-borne diseases in Liberia can now be secured. Healing the wounds from years of war and violence in Liberia will take a concerted effort by local governments and NGOs. But, water is an indisputable facet of this effort of restoring Liberia and protecting its civilians. Celebrities are stepping up the plate for the FACE Gala and combating infrastructural inequities that threaten to cripple a country. Now that’s something worth walking the red carpet for. (Celebrities Raise Awareness About H20 Issues in Liberia. http://www.waterwideweb.org/celebrities-raise-awareness-about-h20-issues-in-liberia.html, retrieved 13 April, 2011.)
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