00:00We've already talked a lot about the El Niño phenomenon and we know it's starting to get on everyone's nerves.
00:05But before that happens, I want you to look at this tiny mosquito.
00:10Do you recognize him? He's an old acquaintance of humanity.
00:12In past centuries it wiped out entire armies of soldiers, and today it remains a nightmare.
00:17especially in rural areas.
00:19It belongs to the Anopheles genus and transmits the parasite that causes malaria.
00:23a really tough thing for those who suffer from it.
00:26But why am I talking about an insect to talk about the El Niño phenomenon?
00:30Because for about three decades a group of Colombian researchers
00:33He began to investigate the link between this phenomenon of climate variability and malaria.
00:39To understand it, they conducted diagnostic studies and fieldwork.
00:44to collect entomological and epidemiological information.
00:47They also conducted laboratory experiments where they grouped infected mosquitoes.
00:52and they put them in incubators at 24, 27 or 28 degrees Celsius
00:57to see how their metabolism and reproductive cycles had changed.
01:02In addition, they dissected its digestive tract to see the variations in the development of the parasite.
01:08Among other things, these scientists, including Germán Poveda,
01:12William Rojas, Iván Darío Vélez, Marta Lucia Quiñones or Guillermo León Rúa,
01:16They observed that when the temperature increased, something that happens with the El Niño phenomenon,
01:21The metabolism of female Anopheles mosquitoes accelerated.
01:25This made them need blood more frequently to survive.
01:30In other words, that means they were biting more frequently.
01:34and the possibility of infecting humans grew.
01:37Furthermore, under those conditions, the development of the larvae was also shortened.
01:43The researchers have explained another element in several of their publications.
01:48Although the temperature increase is a determining factor,
01:51as the level of the rivers and streams drops,
01:54Small lagoons begin to form, which are quickly colonized by these insects.
02:01Knowing all that, one of his professors told me a while ago,
02:05It is key to taking preventative action in certain departments,
02:10especially now that we know in advance in which months the child will be born.
02:15Today, the number of malaria cases in Colombia looks like this compared to previous years.
02:21In fact, a couple of months ago the Pan American Health Organization
02:24published a report on the main health risks
02:28which implies the arrival of this very special child.
02:32Malaria, of course, is classified as a high risk for the regions
02:37where they will experience drought conditions and pose a very high risk to public health
02:42in regions with humid conditions.
02:45The other events that fall into that same category, under drought conditions,
02:50They are other old acquaintances of ours.
02:52Dengue, Zika, Chikungunya, Oropouche virus, or yellow fever.
02:58There are also waterborne diseases, such as cholera and malnutrition.
03:04And of course, the Pan American Health Organization recalled this a few days ago in another document.
03:10The presence of a child can decrease air quality because there is a greater risk of fires.
03:15forestry issues, which also affect us all.
03:19If you want to know more examples of why we cannot understand these environmental phenomena
03:23Without even mentioning health, follow us on our social media, which is a link about the
03:29that we will continue talking.
03:30Bye.
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