Addressing Climate Driven Vector-Borne Disease in West Africa

Area of Science:

• Environmental Health
• Epidemiology
• Climate Science

Background:

• Vector-borne diseases (VBDs) represent a major public health concern in West Africa, causing significant illness and death.
• The region's vulnerability to climate change, coupled with socioeconomic factors, intensifies the VBD burden.
• This review focuses on the nexus of climate change and VBDs in West Africa.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the intricate relationship between climate change and the rising incidence of VBDs in West Africa.
• To synthesize current knowledge on climate drivers, challenges, and effective policy recommendations.
• To inform a unified regional approach to mitigate VBDs.

Main Methods:

• A narrative review of scientific literature published between 2010 and 2025.
• Searched databases like Google Scholar and PubMed, and included reports from international organizations (WHO, Africa CDC, WAHO).
• Selected 21 relevant papers for detailed synthesis, focusing on empirical data, modeling, and policy analysis.

Main Results:

• Climate change, through rising temperatures and altered precipitation, enhances vector suitability and disease transmission.
• Socioeconomic factors like deforestation and urbanization exacerbate VBD risks and strain healthcare systems.
• The escalating VBD burden has severe economic consequences and hinders progress towards Sustainable Development Goals.

Conclusions:

• A coordinated regional strategy is essential, emphasizing cross-border surveillance and integrated vector management.
• Establishing real-time data sharing and early warning systems is critical for timely intervention.
• Sustained political commitment, funding, and collaborative efforts are needed to build climate-resilient health systems.