Impact of Climate Change on the Invasiveness of Mosquitoes in Nigeria
摘要
The increase of invasive mosquito species in Nigeria is largely influenced by climate change. Climatic conditions such as increase in temperature, precipitation, and relative humidity create suitable conditions for the proliferation of mosquitoes. These conditions have led to a rise in the incidence of mosquito-borne diseases such as yellow fever, dengue fever, Zika virus, lymphatic filariasis, chikungunya, and malaria. Malaria especially is of significant concern in Nigeria and the world at large as it is responsible for a great number of deaths yearly especially in pregnant women and young children below the age of five. The significant mosquito vectors in Nigeria belong to the Anopheles, Aedes, and Culex genera. These species are rapidly spreading across the six geopolitical zones and are projected to increase in coming years. Climate change aids the transmission of malaria in Nigeria by creating suitable habitats for Anopheles proliferation. The intricate connection between rising temperature, increased humidity, and precipitation has direct impacts on mosquito ecology, aiding their invasiveness. Mosquito control measures and public health sensitization are crucial to curb the spread of these diseases, alleviate the impact of climate change, and protect the vulnerable population of Nigeria from the effects of increased mosquito invasiveness due to climate change.