In many parts of the world, human health is closely linked to water-related diseases
Malaria is spread by mosquitoes, which breed in wetlands. Diarrhoeal infections (including cholera) are caused by sewage contamination. Diarrhoeal diseases affect both African and south Asian countries, whereas malaria's impact is largely in Africa but also significant in many parts of Asia and the Americas.
Malaria and diarrhoeal diseases are the two worst in terms of human impact. Debilitating effects result from other wetland-related diseases such as schistosomiases, Japanese encephalitis, filariases, onchocerciasis.
Diarrhoeal diseases can be controlled through provision of clean water, good sanitation practices and hygiene education. Poorly treated human sewage contains pathogens that are a key cause of diarrhoeal infections. Where sanitation is poor, wetlands (both inland and coastal) become inundated with such pathogens.
Controlling malaria was one of the driving forces for wetland destruction in the past, especially in Europe, but this has led to the loss of vital ecosystem services such as water and food and is not considered an option today.
Working solutions include the use of fish that consume the mosquito larvae and dams and water management systems that reduce breeding sites.
WWT in action
WWT advocates best practice wetland design to minimise the threats associated with the creation of habitats providing favourable conditions for malarial mosquitoes.
Key facts
- Malaria and diarrhoeal diseases accounted for 1.3 and 1.8 million deaths respectively in 2002, and affecting the health of many, many more. Fatalities are almost entirely in children under 5 years of age.
- Water-borne diseases are responsible for 80 per cent of illnesses and deaths in the developing world, killing a child every eight seconds.
- 5 million people, mostly children, die each year from illnesses caused by poor-quality water supplies.
- Half the world's hospital beds are occupied by people suffering from water-borne diseases.