BOX 1

Climatic change: potential effects on disease.

Malaria. Distribution: 100 countries. Prevalence of infection: 170 million. At risk of infection: 2.100 million. Climate change spread risk: Highly likely.

Schistosomiasis (Snail fever). Distribution: 74 countries. Prevalence of infection: 200 million. At risk of infection: 600 million. Climate change spread risk: Very likely.

Lymphatic filariasis (Elephantiasis). Distribution: Global. except for Europe. Prevalence of infection: 90.2 million. At risk of infection: 900 million. Climate change spread risk: Likely.

Leishmaniasis (Oriental sore). Distribution: 80 countries. Prevalence of infection: 12 million. At risk of infection: 350 million. Climate change spread risk: Unpredictable.

Dracunculiasis (Guinea-worm disease). Distribution: Sub-Saharan Africa. India. Pakistan. Prevalence of infection: Under three million. At risk of infection: 140 million. Climate change spread risk: Unlikely.

Onchocerciasis (River blindness). Distribution: Africa and Latin America. Prevalence of infection: 17.5 million. At risk of infection: 85.5 million. Climate change spread risk: Likely.

African trypanosomiasis (Sleeping sickness). Distribution: 36 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. Prevalence of infection: 25,000 new cases a year. At risk of infection: 50 million. Climate change spread risk: Likely.

Source: WHO (1992).