Your search found 13 records
1 Kibret, S.; McCartney, Matthew; Lautze, Jonathan; Jayasinghe, G. 2009. Malaria transmission in the vicinity of impounded water: evidence from the Koka Reservoir, Ethiopia. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). 39p. (IWMI Research Report 132) [doi: https://doi.org/10.3910/2009.129]
Malaria ; Waterborne diseases ; Disease vectors ; Habitats ; Disease control ; Entomology ; Epidemiology ; Surveys ; Dams ; Reservoirs ; Villages ; Case studies / Africa / Ethiopia / Koka Reservoir / Rift Valley / Awash River Basin
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: IWMI 614.532 G100 KIB Record No: H042338)
(1.26 MB)
The construction of dams in Africa is often associated with adverse malaria impacts in surrounding communities. However, the degree and nature of these impacts are rarely quantified and the feasibility of manipulating reservoir water levels to control mosquito breeding has not been previously investigated in Africa. This report describes entomological and epidemiological studies conducted around the Koka Dam and Reservoir in Ethiopia. The research findings confirm the role of the reservoir in increasing malaria transmission and provide evidence that there is potential to use dam operation in integrated malaria control strategies.
2 Kibret, S.; Alemu, Y.; Boelee, Eline; Tekie, H.; Alemu, D.; Petros, B. 2010. The impact of a small-scale irrigation scheme on malaria transmission in Ziway area, central Ethiopia. Tropical Medicine and International Health, 15(1):41-50. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-3156.2009.02423.x]
Small scale systems ; Irrigation schemes ; Waterborne diseases ; Malaria ; Entomology ; Surveys ; Habitats ; Villages / Ethiopia / Ziway Area / Rift Valley / Abene-Girmamo / Woshgulla
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H042532)
(0.17 MB)
Objective To assess the impact of a small-scale irrigation scheme in Ziway area, a semi-arid area in the Central Ethiopian Rift Valley, on malaria transmission. method Parasitological, entomological and socio-economic studies were conducted in a village with and a village without irrigation. Blood smear samples were taken from individuals during the dry and wet seasons of 2005 / 2006. Socio-economic data were collected from household heads and key agricultural and health informants through interviews and questionnaires. Larval and adult mosquitoes were sampled during the dry and short wet seasons of 2006. Female anopheline mosquitoes were tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for blood meal sources and sporozoite infections. results Malaria prevalence was higher in the irrigated village (19%, P < 0.05) than the non-irrigated village (16%). In the irrigated village, malaria prevalence was higher in the dry season than in the wet season while the reverse occurred in the non-irrigated village. Households with access to irrigation had larger farm land sizes and higher incomes, but also higher prevalence of malaria. Larval and adult abundance of the malaria vectors, Anopheles arabiensis and Anopheles pharoensis, was higher in the irrigated than in the non-irrigated village throughout the study period. Furthermore, the abundance of An. pharoensis was significantly higher than that of An. arabiensis during the dry irrigated period of the year. Canal leakage pools, irrigated fields and irrigation canals were the major breeding habitats of the two vector mosquitoes. Plasmodium falciparum sporozoite infection rates of 1.18% and 0.66% were determined for An. arabiensis and An. pharoensis in the irrigated village. Peak biting activities of the vectors occurred before 22:00 h, which is a source of concern that the effectiveness of ITNs may be compromised as the mosquitoes feed on blood before people go to bed. conclusion Irrigation schemes along the Ethiopian Rift Valley may intensify malaria by increasing the level of prevalence during the dry season. To reduce the intensity of malaria transmission in the smallscale irrigation schemes currently in operation in Ethiopia, year-round source reduction by using proper irrigation water management, coupled with health education, needs to be incorporated into the existing malaria control strategies.
3 Kibret, S.; Boelee, Eline; Petros, B.; Tekie, H. 2010. Entomological studies on the impact of a small-scale irrigation scheme on malaria transmission around Ziway, central Ethiopia. Ethiopian Journal of Development Research, 32(1):107-134 (Special issue with contributions by IWMI authors).
Irrigation schemes ; Malaria ; Anopheles ; Entomology ; Surveys ; Habitats ; Waterborne diseases ; Public health ; Rural areas ; Villages / Ethiopia / Ziway
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: PER Record No: H043258)
(0.14 MB)
Larval and adult anophelines were sampled around Ziway, Central Ethiopia. Throughout the study period, significantly higher densities of Anopheles pharoensis and An. arabiensis were found in the village with irrigation than in the village without. Canal leakage pools, irrigated fields and irrigation canals were the major sources of Anopheles larvae. Most adult anophelines were found to feed on humans, especially before 22hrs, and up to 1% were infected with malaria parasites. This study demonstrated that due to poor maintenance, irrigation schemes create conducive breeding grounds for malaria vector mosquitoes and hence increase the risk of malaria transmission.
4 Teklu, B. M.; Tekie, H.; McCartney, Matthew; Kibret, S.. 2010. The effect of physical water quality and water level changes on the occurrence and density of Anopheles mosquito larvae around the shoreline of the Koka reservoir, central Ethiopia. Hydrology and Earth System Sciences, 14(12):2595-2603. [doi: https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-14-2595-2010]
Mosquitoes ; Anopheles ; Breeding places ; Reservoirs ; Malaria / Africa / Ethiopia / Koka Reservoir / Ejersa Village / Kuma Village
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H043432)
http://www.hydrol-earth-syst-sci.net/14/2595/2010/hess-14-2595-2010.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H043432.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H043432.pdf
(0.52 MB)
Entomological studies to determine the effect of the physical characteristics of mosquito larval breeding water bodies and reservoir water level changes on the occurrence of Anopheles mosquito larvae were conducted in two villages at Koka reservoir in central Ethiopia between August and December 2007. Of the two study villages, Ejersa is located close to the reservoir, and Kuma is 5 km away from it. Data on the type, number and physical characteristics of Anopheles larval breeding habitat, species composition and densities of anopheles mosquitoes in and around the study villages were investigated and recorded. Meteorological and reservoir water level data were compared with availability of Anopheles larval breeding sites and densities. Entomological data, derived from weekly larval collections, showed that Anopheles pharoensis Theobald, Anopheles gambiae s.l. Giles, Anopheles coustani Laveran and Anopheles squamosus Theobald were breeding in the study area. The mean larval density of An. gambiae s.l. in this study was higher in slightly turbid and shallow aquatic habitat than in turbid and relatively deep aquatic habitat. The density of An. pharoensis in habitat with floating vegetation and with relatively shady conditions was significantly higher than that of less shaded aquatic habitat and greater emergent vegetation. There was also a positive correlation between the occurrence of Anopheles larvae with the water and daily minimum atmospheric temperature. Similarly at Ejersa, over the sampling period, there was a positive correlation between falling reservoir water levels and the number of positive breeding habitats. These results confirm that physical characteristics of the water bodies play an important role in the species composition, total Anopheles larval count, and the density of Anopheles mosquitoes. Suitable breeding habitat in the vicinity of the reservoir village was strongly associated with the reservoir. This is particularly important for An. pharoensis and An. gambiae s.l. which are important vectors of malaria in the area.
5 Kibret, S.; Petros, B.; Boelee, Eline; Tekie, H. 2008. Entomological studies on the impact of a small-scale irrigation scheme on malaria transmission around Ziway, Ethiopia. In Awulachew, Seleshi Bekele; Loulseged, Makonnen; Yilma, Aster Denekew (Comps.). Impact of irrigation on poverty and environment in Ethiopia: draft proceedings of the symposium and exhibition, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 27-29 November 2007. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). pp.418-438.
Malaria ; Anopheles pharoensis ; Anopheles arabiensis ; Entomology ; Surveys ; Irrigation schemes ; Small scale systems / Ethiopia / Ziway
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H044138)
(0.22 MB)
To evaluate the impact of a small-scale irrigation scheme on the level of malaria transmission in a semi-arid area, entomological studies were conducted in Zeway area, Central Ethiopia. Larval and adult anophelines were sampled during the dry and short-rainy seasons from irrigated and non-irrigated villages. Overall, significantly higher density of Anopheles larvae were found during the dry season in the irrigated village (Mean = 38.3 larvae/100 dips) than the non-irrigated village (7.4 larvae/100 dips). Canal leakage pools, irrigated fields and irrigation canals were the major sources of Anopheles mosquitoes. Larval and adult Anopheles pharoensis and An. arabiensis, principal malaria vectors in Ethiopia, were more abundant in the irrigated village than the non-irrigated village throughout the study period. Hourly light trap catches revealed that peak indoor and outdoor biting activities of An. arabiensis and An. pharoensis occurred during the early period of the night before the local inhabitants retire to bed. The majority of blood-engorged An. arabiensis (0.78) and An. pharoensis (0.69) had fed on humans, suggesting that their highly anthropophilic nature in Zeway area. Plasmodium falciparum infection rates of 1.02% and 0.54% were determined for An. arabiensis and An. pharoensis, respectively, in the irrigated village. This study demonstrated that due to poorly maintained irrigation structures, the irrigation scheme created conducive breeding grounds for malaria vector species, particularly during the dry season. Consequently, the period of malaria transmission might possibly extend from seasonal to year-round, involving the dry season. Proper water management coupled with environmental management such as source reduction could reduce vector abundance and hence malaria transmission in the irrigation schemes.
6 Reis, J.; Culver, T. B.; McCartney, Matthew; Lautze, Jonathan; Kibret, S.. 2011. Water resources implications of integrating malaria control into the operation of an Ethiopian dam. Water Resources Research, 47(W09530):10p. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1029/2010WR01016]
Water resources ; Waterborne diseases ; Malaria ; Dams ; Reservoirs ; Simulation models ; Water power ; Energy generation ; Electricity generation ; Environmental flows ; Downstream ; Flooding ; Flood control ; Irrigation / Ethiopia / Awash River Basin / Koka Reservoir
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H044345)
(0.70 MB)
This paper investigates the water resources implications of using a method of hydrological control to reduce malaria around the Koka reservoir in central Ethiopia. This method is based on recent ndings that malaria is transmitted from the shoreline of the Koka reservoir, and on a similar method that was used to control malaria some 80 yr ago in the United States. To assess the feasibility of implementing hydrological control at Koka, we considered the potential impact of the modi ed management regime on the bene ts derived from current uses of the reservoir water (i.e., hydropower, irrigation, ood control, water supply, and downstream environmental ows). We used the HEC-ResSim model to simulate lowering the reservoir by a rate designed to disrupt larval development, which is expected to reduce the abundance of adult mosquito vectors and therefore reduce malaria transmission during the season in which transmission of the disease peaks. A comparison was made of major reservoir uses with and without the malaria control measure. In the 26-yr simulation, application of the malaria control measure increased total average annual electricity generation from 87.6 GWh x y -1 to 92.2 GWh x y -1 (i.e., a 5.3% increase) but resulted in a small decline in rm power generation (i.e., guaranteed at 99.5% reliability) from 4.16 MW to 4.15 MW (i.e., a 0.2% decrease). Application of the malaria control measure did not impact the ability of the reservoir to meet downstream irrigation demand and reduced the number of days of downstream ooding from 28 to 24 d. These results indicate that targeted use of hydrological control for malaria vector management could be undertaken without sacri cing the key bene ts of reservoir operation.
7 McCartney, Matthew P.; Reis, J.; Kibret, S.; Lautze, Jonathan; Culver, T. 2011. Manipulating dam operation for malaria control: an investigation of the Koka dam, Ethiopia. Paper presented at the HYDRO 2011 Conference, Prague, Czech Republic, 17-19 October 2011. 8p.
Dam construction ; Reservoirs ; Waterborne diseases ; Malaria ; Anopheles ; Water levels / Africa / Ethiopia / Koka dam
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H044456)
8 Boelee, Eline; Yohannes, M.; Poda, J.-N.; McCartney, Matthew; Hagos, Fitsum; Cecchi, P.; Kibret, S.; Laamrani, H. 2013. Options for water storage and rainwater harvesting to improve health and resilience against climate change in Africa. Regional Environmental Change, 13(3):509-519. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10113-012-0287-4]
Water storage ; Rainwater ; Water harvesting ; Climate change ; Adaptation ; Reservoirs ; Health hazards ; Impact assessment ; Malaria ; Households / Africa / Burkina Faso / Ethiopia
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H045896)
(0.48 MB)
West and East Africa experience high variability of rainfall that is expected to increase with climate change. This results in uctuations in water availability for food production and other socioeconomic activities. Water harvesting and storage can mitigate the adverse effects of rainfall variability. But past studies have shown that when investments in water storage are not guided by environmental health considerations, the increased availability of open water surface may increase the transmission of waterrelated diseases. This is demonstrated for schistosomiasis associated with small reservoirs in Burkina Faso, and for malaria in Ethiopia around large dams, small dams, and water harvesting ponds. The concern is that the rush to develop water harvesting and storage for climate change adaptation may increase the risk for already vulnerable people, in some cases more than canceling out the bene ts of greater water availability. Taking health issues into account in a participatory approach to planning, design, and management of rainwater harvesting and water storage, as well as considering the full range of water storage options would enable better opportunities for enhancing resilience against climate change in vulnerable populations in sub-Saharan Africa.
9 Kibret, S.; Lautze, Jonathan; McCartney, Matthew; Wilson, G. G.; Nhamo, Luxon. 2015. Malaria impact of large dams in sub-Saharan Africa: maps, estimates and predictions. Malaria Journal, 14:1-12. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12936-015-0873-2]
Malaria ; Dams ; Reservoirs ; Risk management ; Climate change ; Case studies / Africa South of Sahara
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H047178)
http://www.malariajournal.com/content/pdf/s12936-015-0873-2.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H047178.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H047178.pdf
(2.42 MB) (503 KB)
Background: While there is growing recognition of the malaria impacts of large dams in sub-Saharan Africa, the cumulative malaria impact of reservoirs associated with current and future dam developments has not been quantified. The objective of this study was to estimate the current and predict the future impact of large dams on malaria in different eco-epidemiological settings across sub-Saharan Africa.
Methods: The locations of 1268 existing and 78 planned large dams in sub-Saharan Africa were mapped against the malaria stability index (stable, unstable and no malaria). The Plasmodium falciparum infection rate (PfIR) was determined for populations at different distances (<1, 1–2, 2–5, 5–9 km) from the associated reservoirs using the Malaria Atlas Project (MAP) and WorldPop databases. Results derived from MAP were verified by comparison with the results of detailed epidemiological studies conducted at 11 dams.
Results: Of the 1268 existing dams, 723 are located in malarious areas. Currently, about 15 million people live in close proximity (<5 km) to the reservoirs associated with these dams. A total of 1.1 million malaria cases annually are associated with them: 919,000 cases due to the presence of 416 dams in areas of unstable transmission and 204,000 cases due to the presence of 307 dams in areas of stable transmission. Of the 78 planned dams, 60 will be located in malarious areas and these will create an additional 56,000 cases annually. The variation in annual PfIR in communities as a function of distance from reservoirs was statistically significant in areas of unstable transmission but not in areas of stable transmission.
Conclusion: In sub-Saharan Africa, dams contribute significantly to malaria risk particularly in areas of unstable transmission. Additional malaria control measures are thus required to reduce the impact of dams on malaria.
Methods: The locations of 1268 existing and 78 planned large dams in sub-Saharan Africa were mapped against the malaria stability index (stable, unstable and no malaria). The Plasmodium falciparum infection rate (PfIR) was determined for populations at different distances (<1, 1–2, 2–5, 5–9 km) from the associated reservoirs using the Malaria Atlas Project (MAP) and WorldPop databases. Results derived from MAP were verified by comparison with the results of detailed epidemiological studies conducted at 11 dams.
Results: Of the 1268 existing dams, 723 are located in malarious areas. Currently, about 15 million people live in close proximity (<5 km) to the reservoirs associated with these dams. A total of 1.1 million malaria cases annually are associated with them: 919,000 cases due to the presence of 416 dams in areas of unstable transmission and 204,000 cases due to the presence of 307 dams in areas of stable transmission. Of the 78 planned dams, 60 will be located in malarious areas and these will create an additional 56,000 cases annually. The variation in annual PfIR in communities as a function of distance from reservoirs was statistically significant in areas of unstable transmission but not in areas of stable transmission.
Conclusion: In sub-Saharan Africa, dams contribute significantly to malaria risk particularly in areas of unstable transmission. Additional malaria control measures are thus required to reduce the impact of dams on malaria.
10 Kibret, S.; Lautze, Jonathan; McCartney, Matthew; Nhamo, Luxon; Wilson, G. G. 2016. Malaria and large dams in sub-Saharan Africa: future impacts in a changing climate. Malaria Journal, 15:1-14. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12936-016-1498-9]
Malaria ; Dams ; Reservoirs ; Climate change ; Public health ; Health hazards ; Disease prevention ; Population growth ; Sociocultural environment / Africa South of Sahara
(Location: IWMI Call no: e-copy only Record No: H047719)
https://malariajournal.biomedcentral.com/track/pdf/10.1186/s12936-016-1498-9?site=malariajournal.biomedcentral.com
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H047719.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H047719.pdf
(1.39 MB)
Background: Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) has embarked on a new era of dam building to improve food security and promote economic development. Nonetheless, the future impacts of dams on malaria transmission are poorly understood and seldom investigated in the context of climate and demographic change.
Methods: The distribution of malaria in the vicinity of 1268 existing dams in SSA was mapped under the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) representative concentration pathways (RCP) 2.6 and 8.5. Population projections and malaria incidence estimates were used to compute population at risk of malaria in both RCPs. Assuming no change in socio-economic interventions that may mitigate impacts, the change in malaria stability and malaria burden in the vicinity of the dams was calculated for the two RCPs through to the 2080s. Results were compared against the 2010 baseline. The annual number of malaria cases associated with dams and climate change was determined for each of the RCPs.
Results: The number of dams located in malarious areas is projected to increase in both RCPs. Population growth will add to the risk of transmission. The population at risk of malaria around existing dams and associated reservoirs, is estimated to increase from 15 million in 2010 to 21–23 million in the 2020s, 25–26 million in the 2050s and 28–29 million in the 2080s, depending on RCP. The number of malaria cases associated with dams in malarious areas is expected to increase from 1.1 million in 2010 to 1.2–1.6 million in the 2020s, 2.1–3.0 million in the 2050s and 2.4–3.0 million in the 2080s depending on RCP. The number of cases will always be higher in RCP 8.5 than RCP 2.6.
Conclusion: In the absence of changes in other factors that affect transmission (e.g., socio-economic), the impact of dams on malaria in SSA will be significantly exacerbated by climate change and increases in population. Areas without malaria transmission at present, which will transition to regions of unstable transmission, may be worst affected. Modifying conventional water management frameworks to improve malaria control, holds the potential to mitigate some of this increase and should be more actively implemented.
Methods: The distribution of malaria in the vicinity of 1268 existing dams in SSA was mapped under the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) representative concentration pathways (RCP) 2.6 and 8.5. Population projections and malaria incidence estimates were used to compute population at risk of malaria in both RCPs. Assuming no change in socio-economic interventions that may mitigate impacts, the change in malaria stability and malaria burden in the vicinity of the dams was calculated for the two RCPs through to the 2080s. Results were compared against the 2010 baseline. The annual number of malaria cases associated with dams and climate change was determined for each of the RCPs.
Results: The number of dams located in malarious areas is projected to increase in both RCPs. Population growth will add to the risk of transmission. The population at risk of malaria around existing dams and associated reservoirs, is estimated to increase from 15 million in 2010 to 21–23 million in the 2020s, 25–26 million in the 2050s and 28–29 million in the 2080s, depending on RCP. The number of malaria cases associated with dams in malarious areas is expected to increase from 1.1 million in 2010 to 1.2–1.6 million in the 2020s, 2.1–3.0 million in the 2050s and 2.4–3.0 million in the 2080s depending on RCP. The number of cases will always be higher in RCP 8.5 than RCP 2.6.
Conclusion: In the absence of changes in other factors that affect transmission (e.g., socio-economic), the impact of dams on malaria in SSA will be significantly exacerbated by climate change and increases in population. Areas without malaria transmission at present, which will transition to regions of unstable transmission, may be worst affected. Modifying conventional water management frameworks to improve malaria control, holds the potential to mitigate some of this increase and should be more actively implemented.
11 Kibret, S.; Lautze, Jonathan; McCartney, Matthew; Nhamo, Luxon; Yan, G. 2019. Malaria around large dams in Africa: effect of environmental and transmission endemicity factors. Malaria Journal, 18:1-12. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12936-019-2933-5]
Malaria ; Vector-borne diseases ; Dams ; Environmental effects ; Disease transmission ; Endemics ; Mosquitoes ; Anopheles ; Breeding habitats ; Water reservoirs ; Slope ; Topography ; Climatic data ; Communities ; Health hazards / Africa South of Sahara
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H049330)
https://malariajournal.biomedcentral.com/track/pdf/10.1186/s12936-019-2933-5
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H049330.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H049330.pdf
(3.62 MB) (3.62 MB)
Background: The impact of large dams on malaria has received widespread attention. However, understanding how dam topography and transmission endemicity influence malaria incidences is limited.
Methods: Data from the European Commission’s Joint Research Center and Shuttle Radar Topography Mission were used to determine reservoir perimeters and shoreline slope of African dams. Georeferenced data from the Malaria Atlas Project (MAP) were used to estimate malaria incidence rates in communities near reservoir shorelines. Population data from the WorldPop database were used to estimate the population at risk of malaria around dams in stable and unstable areas.
Results: The data showed that people living near (< 5 km) large dams in sub-Saharan Africa grew from 14.4 million in 2000 to 18.7 million in 2015. Overall, across sub-Saharan Africa between 0.7 and 1.6 million malaria cases per year are attributable to large dams. Whilst annual malaria incidence declined markedly in both stable and unstable areas between 2000 and 2015, the malaria impact of dams appeared to increase in unstable areas, but decreased in stable areas. Shoreline slope was found to be the most important malaria risk factor in dam-affected geographies, explaining 41–82% (P < 0.001) of the variation in malaria incidence around reservoirs.
Conclusion: Gentler, more gradual shoreline slopes were associated with much greater malaria risk. Dam-related environmental variables such as dam topography and shoreline slopes are an important factor that should be considered in efforts to predict and control malaria around dams.
Methods: Data from the European Commission’s Joint Research Center and Shuttle Radar Topography Mission were used to determine reservoir perimeters and shoreline slope of African dams. Georeferenced data from the Malaria Atlas Project (MAP) were used to estimate malaria incidence rates in communities near reservoir shorelines. Population data from the WorldPop database were used to estimate the population at risk of malaria around dams in stable and unstable areas.
Results: The data showed that people living near (< 5 km) large dams in sub-Saharan Africa grew from 14.4 million in 2000 to 18.7 million in 2015. Overall, across sub-Saharan Africa between 0.7 and 1.6 million malaria cases per year are attributable to large dams. Whilst annual malaria incidence declined markedly in both stable and unstable areas between 2000 and 2015, the malaria impact of dams appeared to increase in unstable areas, but decreased in stable areas. Shoreline slope was found to be the most important malaria risk factor in dam-affected geographies, explaining 41–82% (P < 0.001) of the variation in malaria incidence around reservoirs.
Conclusion: Gentler, more gradual shoreline slopes were associated with much greater malaria risk. Dam-related environmental variables such as dam topography and shoreline slopes are an important factor that should be considered in efforts to predict and control malaria around dams.
12 Kibret, S.; McCartney, Matthew; Lautze, Jonathan; Nhamo, Luxon; Yan, G. 2021. The impact of large and small dams on malaria transmission in four basins in Africa. Scientific Reports, 11:13355. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-92924-3]
Malaria ; Disease transmission ; Dams ; River basins ; Vector-borne diseases ; Risk ; Water reservoirs ; Infrastructure ; Population density / Africa South of Sahara / Limpopo River Basin / Omo-Turkana River Basin / Volta River Basin / Zambezi River Basin
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H050499)
(1.51 MB) (1.51 MB)
Expansion of various types of water infrastructure is critical to water security in Africa. To date, analysis of adverse disease impacts has focused mainly on large dams. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of both small and large dams on malaria in four river basins in sub-Saharan Africa (i.e., the Limpopo, Omo-Turkana, Volta and Zambezi river basins). The European Commission’s Joint Research Center (JRC) Yearly Water Classification History v1.0 data set was used to identify water bodies in each of the basins. Annual malaria incidence data were obtained from the Malaria Atlas Project (MAP) database for the years 2000, 2005, 2010 and 2015. A total of 4907 small dams and 258 large dams in the four basins, with 14.7million people living close (< 5 km) to their reservoirs in 2015, were analysed. The annual number of malaria cases attributable to dams of either size across the four basins was 0.9–1.7 million depending on the year, of which between 77 and 85% was due to small dams. The majority of these cases occur in areas of stable transmission. Malaria incidence per kilometre of reservoir shoreline varied between years but for small dams was typically 2–7 times greater than that for large dams in the same basin. Between 2000 and 2015, the annual malaria incidence showed a broadly declining trend for both large and small dam reservoirs in areas of stable transmission in all four basins. In conclusion, the malaria impact of dams is far greater than previously recognized. Small and large dams represent hotspots of malaria transmission and, as such, should be a critical focus of future disease control efforts.
13 Ramamurthy, R.; Bleser, J.; Konradsen, F.; Kibret, S.; Opperman, J.; You, L.; Sloff, K.; McCartney, Matthew; Fevre, E. M.; Boelee, E. 2023. Human health impacts of dams and reservoirs: neglected issues in a One Health perspective. Aquatic Ecosystem Health and Management, 26(2):96-112. [doi: https://doi.org/10.14321/aehm.026.02.096]
Dams ; Reservoirs ; Human health ; One Health approach ; Irrigation ; Hydropower ; Environmental factors ; Diseases ; Ecosystems ; Impact assessment ; Energy ; Food production ; Livelihoods ; Communities ; Inclusion / United States of America / Sudan / Nepal / Pakistan / Glen Canyon Dam / Merowe Dam / Marsyangdi Dam / Dasu Dam
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H052403)
(0.40 MB)
Dams have often been constructed for hydropower, water storage and to support socio-economic development, particularly in areas of water stress. In many places, the water stored in human-made reservoirs is essential to meet the development objectives of water supply, agriculture, industry, energy generation and other sectors. However, in the absence of adequate foresight and planning, many past dams have had considerable negative impacts on ecosystems and the livelihoods of affected communities, resulting in conflicts and health hazards. While enhanced human health and well-being could be considered as the ultimate outcome of development programs, the public health impact of dams remains an issue that is often neglected by policy makers and investors. National policies and international guidelines, such as those of the World Commission on Dams, have been used to improve planning and impact assessment of dams. Here, we provide an analysis of four large dams, across three continents, and show that they had limited consistency with World Commission on Dams principles and guidelines. Moreover, health aspects were largely neglected during planning, construction and operation of these dams, but seriously undermine their intended benefits. This perspective paper discusses impacts of dams on energy and food, ecosystem health, inclusion, and ultimately human health and wellbeing. We argue that a One Health perspective, based on these four categories, can support the systematic consideration of environmental, animal, and human health determinants. A dedicated One Health approach to dams and reservoirs remains to be developed but could potentially improve how dams, both existing and future, support more inclusive development.
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