Dr Epstein cites examples of how outbreaks have already affected trade, tourism and economic security. Diseases like dengue and malaria are affecting new populations as warmer conditions allow mosquitoes to survive over a wider area and at higher altitudes. It has been recorded in northern Argentina and Australia and is now occurring regularly in Asia. Malaria currently kills up to two million people each year and over 2 billion people are considered at risk of contracting the disease. Hot, humid periods in the 1990s have led to malaria cases being recorded in United States in California, New Jersey, New York, Texas, Georgia, Florida, Michigan and Virginia, as well as in Toronto, Canada.
Analyses show malaria outbreaks outside tropical regions becoming more common in the future.
The seven warmest years since scientists began keeping records almost 150 years ago have all occurred in the past decade with 1997 being the warmest. Every month from January to August in 1998 broke the previous record for that month. The problem will be worsened by global warming affecting the population balance of animal predators such as owls, snakes, birds and bats which keep insects and rodents in check. On top of the effects of the warming trend come more frequent and extreme weather events such as droughts, floods and storms which directly cause death and injury and open the door to other serious health problems. At the same time, extreme droughts turned forests in Asia, the Mediterranean region, Mexico, Central America, Florida and California into tinderboxes.