The nexus between health and the environment cannot be underscored all the more, as rising global issues call for an urgent approach to such issues.
In Northern Kenya, for example, a disease called Leishmaniasis (or kala-azar) poses a threat to the residents of these areas. Leishmaniasis is a deadly disease caused by a sand-fly, particularly infected female sandflies, which feed on blood to produce eggs.
What is unique about this disease, is that it thrives in dry areas since the parasites thrive and breed in deeply cracked soil, which is more common in the northern parts of the country.
Recently, a report by Dialogue Earth revealed that a 15-year-old herder in Turkana who contracted the disease, had to pay up to KES. 30,000 for his medical treatment, a figure that would require him to dig deeper into his pockets. The report, backed by supporting material from the World Health Organization, further shows that the disease is climate-sensitive, as the deeply cracked soil worsens with the warming climate.
Deforestation further exacerbates the situation, as the parasite also thrives in sandy, degraded land. Tree planting and sustainable growing can mitigate the effects of climate change and alleviate the situation. We can take the step of change and uplift the residents of such affected areas, visit our website to learn more about how we can Revitalize Kenya, One Tree at Time!
https://www.revitalize-hg.org
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8 w
This shows how much we need to do reforestation, plant more trees not even just tree, trees that's even bare fruits, flowers just make Kenya green again and also do water reservoir, when it's rainy season.
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8 w
@sally_wangari exactly! We need to restore our ecosystems and renew biodiversity.
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8 w
So many diseases will be created or amplified by the climate crisis, this is a crisis that should be handled with urgency
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8 w
@sarah_chabane_874 we need to approach this with utmost urgency and treat it as a crisis. Imagine how many such people are in this situation, yet their stories aren't documented?
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9 w
The disease is expected to spread as many parts become dry due to change in climatic conditions.
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8 w
@tabitha_kimani this is dangerous.
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8 w
@tabitha_kimani the effects will be fatal!
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7 w
@tabitha_kimani Considering its most prevalent among the most vulnerable in society, treatment is too expensive.
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9 w
Thanks for the info this is new to me.
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8 w
@zelda_ninga_442 you're most welcome!