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Ressurgence of Malaria in Portugal: Myth or actual threat?
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A malária, doença potencialmente fatal causada por parasitas do género Plasmodium e transmitida por mosquitos Anopheles, foi endémica em Portugal durante séculos, sobretudo em zonas costeiras e ribeirinhas de baixa altitude. A aplicação sistemática de medidas de controlo — incluindo intervenções antivetoriais e terapêuticas antimaláricas eficazes — permitiu eliminar a doença no país em 1960. Apesar disso, surgem frequentemente preocupações sobre um possível ressurgimento associado ao aquecimento global, uma vez que o aumento das temperaturas e as alterações climáticas podem favorecer a expansão e a atividade dos mosquitos vetores. Analisa-se o potencial de restabelecimento da malária em Portugal considerando os três elementos fundamentais do “triângulo da malária”: o hospedeiro humano, o vetor e o parasita. Embora Anopheles atroparvus, vetor historicamente competente, permaneça presente em Portugal, os casos importados são rapidamente identificados e tratados, impedindo a formação de um reservatório parasitário. A revisão crítica de modelos climáticos e de dados epidemiológicos indica que o risco de reaparecimento da malária em Portugal continua a ser muito reduzido, sustentado pela robustez do sistema de saúde, pela vigilância entomológica contínua e pelos tratamentos eficazes. Conclui-se que é improvável que o aquecimento global, isoladamente, provoque um ressurgimento da malária, exceto se ocorrerem falhas significativas no controlo vetorial e na resposta em saúde pública.
Malaria, a life-threatening disease caused by Plasmodium parasites and transmitted by Anopheles mosquitoes, was endemic in Portugal for centuries, particularly in low-lying coastal and riverine areas. Intensive control measures, including vector control and effective antimalarial treatments, led to the elimination of malaria in Portugal by 1960. However, concerns about malaria resurgence due to global warming often emerge in the media, as rising temperatures and changing climatic conditions could favor mosquito populations. This paper examines the potential for malaria re-establishment in Portugal by analyzing the three essential elements of the “malaria triangle”: the human host, the mosquito vector, and the parasite. While Anopheles atroparvus, a competent malaria vector, remains present in Portugal, imported malaria cases are effectively managed, preventing the establishment of a parasite reservoir. A critical review of climate models and epidemiological data suggests that the threat of malaria resurgence in Portugal remains minimal, given the country’s robust healthcare system, vigilant vector monitoring, and effective treatments. The paper concludes that global warming alone is unlikely to trigger a malaria resurgence in Portugal unless accompanied by failures in healthcare, vector control, and antimalarial resistance. Ensuring sustained efforts in these areas is essential to prevent the re-establishment of malaria in the future.
Malaria, a life-threatening disease caused by Plasmodium parasites and transmitted by Anopheles mosquitoes, was endemic in Portugal for centuries, particularly in low-lying coastal and riverine areas. Intensive control measures, including vector control and effective antimalarial treatments, led to the elimination of malaria in Portugal by 1960. However, concerns about malaria resurgence due to global warming often emerge in the media, as rising temperatures and changing climatic conditions could favor mosquito populations. This paper examines the potential for malaria re-establishment in Portugal by analyzing the three essential elements of the “malaria triangle”: the human host, the mosquito vector, and the parasite. While Anopheles atroparvus, a competent malaria vector, remains present in Portugal, imported malaria cases are effectively managed, preventing the establishment of a parasite reservoir. A critical review of climate models and epidemiological data suggests that the threat of malaria resurgence in Portugal remains minimal, given the country’s robust healthcare system, vigilant vector monitoring, and effective treatments. The paper concludes that global warming alone is unlikely to trigger a malaria resurgence in Portugal unless accompanied by failures in healthcare, vector control, and antimalarial resistance. Ensuring sustained efforts in these areas is essential to prevent the re-establishment of malaria in the future.
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