Rising global temperatures
could bring more floods and severe weather. They may allow for the wider
spread of tropical illnesses like dengue fever, scientist warned Monday.
People at Johns Hopkins University
in Baltimore used computers to model the general circulation of the Earth's
weather patterns and checked changes against where dengue fever is prevalent
Dengue fever is already the
most widespread viral infection transmitted to people by insects. It causes
fever, swelling of the lymph nodes and bleeding, along with severe muscle
aches, and can be fatal. There is no vaccine or specific treatment.
The last major epidemic of
dengue fever was in Glavestone, Texas, in 1922, when more than 500,000
fell sick. The last U.S outbreak was also in Texas in 1995.
If we do not reduce our emissions
of greenhouse gases, it is predicted that the global average temperature
could rise to about 3 degrees to 8 degrees F in the next 100 years.
Patterns of rainfall and snowfall may be changed permanently. Also plants
and animals may not be able to adjust to the new climate.
CONTINUE TOUR
HOME