Malaria -- a New Cause for Concern? Malaria has long been thought of as the bane of travelers to and residents of the tropical and subtropical regions of the globe alone. According to the Center for Disease control, every 30 seconds in Africa a child dies of this disease. ("Malaria," CDC, 2004) It is easy to forget that the construction of the Panama Canal was made possible only after yellow fever and malaria were controlled in that North American area. But will global warming made this formerly prevalent illness resurgent in the United States? ("Malaria: History," CDC, 2004)

The CDC's discussion of the distribution of the ailment states that where malaria is found depends mainly on climatic factors such as temperature, humidity, and rainfall levels. "Malaria is transmitted in tropical and subtropical areas," specifically where mosquitoes are prevalent, and the malaria parasites can complete their growth cycles in mosquitoes, which then affect humans. ("Malaria: Geographical Conditions" CDC, 2004)

Those who worry about global warming will be alarmed to read that temperature is particularly critical to facilitating the spread of malaria. For example, at temperatures "below 20°C (68°F), Plasmodium falciparum (which causes severe malaria)...

In many temperate areas, such as Western Europe and the United States, economic development and public health measures have succeeded in eliminating malaria. Hence, the CDC classifies the region as having no risk for the ailment, and thus no inoculations for travelers or precautionary measures for malaria need by taken. However, most of these areas have Anopheles mosquitoes that can transmit malaria, and according to the CDC, reintroduction of the disease is a constant risk if temperatures are above normal for long periods of time and appropriate health care measures are not taken to contain the spread of…