Geneva (Fides Service) – The World Health Organisation (OMS) with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), with the support of United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), has issued a report on “Climate Change and Human Health - Risks and Responses” and the impact of these changes on public health. The report suggests security measures to help countries keep the situation under control.
According to recent data, climate change is responsible for 2.4% of the cases of diarrhoea in the world, 2% cases of malaria and about 150,000 deaths.
The 1990s were record years, in Europe last Summer about 20,000 people died of heat.
Abnormally heavy rain forms stagnant waters in which disease insects carrying malaria and dengue thrive.
With its Guidelines the report offers practical tips for governments, health environment and weather institutions in industrialised and developing countries on how to adapt to vulnerability, variability and climate change at the regional national and local level. (AP) (11/12/2003 Fides Service; lines:21 words:234)