El Niño does not just cause weather variability, severe droughts, or unusual rainfall; these extreme climate changes also have unexpected direct and indirect impacts on human health. The major health effects can be categorized as follows:
1. Heat-Related Illnesses and Extreme Weather
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Heat Stroke and Heat Exhaustion: Soaring temperatures from severe droughts make it difficult for the body to cool down, increasing the risk of life-threatening heat stroke, especially among children, the elderly, and outdoor workers.
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Dehydration: Extremely hot and dry weather conditions cause the body to lose water much faster and easier.
2. Water and Food-borne Diseases
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Clean Water Scarcity: During droughts, natural water sources diminish, leading to a higher concentration of contaminants. This triggers outbreaks of diarrhea, dysentery, and food poisoning.
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Flash Floods (in some regions): In areas where El Niño triggers heavy rainfall, floods wash waste and chemicals into water sources, resulting in bacterial contamination such as Leptospirosis.
3. Vector-borne Diseases
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Dengue Fever and Malaria: Mosquitoes (such as Aedes and Anopheles) thrive in warmer climates. Furthermore, during droughts, people tend to store water in various containers; if left uncovered, these become prime breeding grounds for mosquitoes, significantly increasing disease transmission.
4. Respiratory Problems from Smoke and Dust
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Wildfires and PM 2.5: Severe droughts caused by El Niño are often followed by intense wildfires and smog. Statistical data shows that during strong El Niño years, fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) reaches more critical levels than usual, directly impacting the respiratory system and triggering asthma, emphysema, and allergies.
5. Food Insecurity and Nutritional Health
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Agricultural Crop Failure: Prolonged droughts damage crops, leading to a shortage of quality fresh food and driving up food prices. In the long run, this can lead to malnutrition, particularly among vulnerable groups.
6. Mental Health Impacts
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Stress and Depression: Extreme heat can make people more irritable. Additionally, farmers and those who rely heavily on nature for their livelihood often experience chronic stress, anxiety, or depression due to the economic losses caused by droughts or floods.
