Submitted with bitten tongue...MELBOURNE, Sept 28 (Bernama) -- A new report here has warned that unless greenhouse gas emissions are cut, dengue fever could spread in the Asia-Pacific region. The report, commissioned by the Australian Medical Association (AMA) and the Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF), urges immediate action by governments and individuals to counter the threat. The two groups called for the greater use of renewable energy, mandatory biofuel blends, and an effective, national emissions control programme. Indian-born AMA president Dr Mukesh Haikerwal said there must be a national response to climate change and its effects on human health. "Projected heat-related deaths to 2100 (in Australia) could be halved with strong policy action,'' he said. "Failure to dramatically cut carbon dioxide emissions will leave the world with serious environmental and health problems."
ACF president Professor Ian Lowe said urgent action to curb climate change could reduce the suffering of millions in the Asia-Pacific region. The report's co-author, Australian National University (ANU) epidemiology expert Dr Rosalie Woodruff, said the potentially fatal dengue disease, transmitted to humans by the Aedes aegypti mosquito, affected about 240 people a year in Australia. The dengue fever risk would be much worse in developing countries... Dr Haikerwal said greenhouse gases, caused by burning fossil fuels like oil, gas and coal, were predicted to lead to average temperature increases of six degrees by 2100. "Climate change will damage our health. People will get sick as a direct result. People will die in larger numbers as our earth, our world, our home, heats up." He said about 1,100 people over the age of 65 died each year in Australia due to high temperatures.