Not only does gold and diamond mining
have a harmful environmental impact in the Amazon, but the rise in small-scale,
illegal mining activities is causing a resurgence of malaria in Venezuela,
which used to be a world leader in managing the disease. In 2013, 76,621 cases
(pdf) of malaria were reported in Venezuela, the majority among men aged
between 15 and 44 years old, and with 93% of cases (pdf) occuring in the state
of Bolivar where gold mining is booming. Estimates suggest that the number of
cases will only continue to rise. Both legal and illegal mining create the
perfect conditions for malaria to resurface and spread. “There is a large
number of miners drilling holes in search of minerals. These holes with
stagnant water are breeding grounds for mosquitoes,” says Jo Lines, a reader of
malaria control and vector biology at the London School of Hygiene &
Tropical Medicine. More… 
Tuesday, December 2, 2014
Venezuela: Illegal mining and the resurgence of malaria
Not only does gold and diamond mining
have a harmful environmental impact in the Amazon, but the rise in small-scale,
illegal mining activities is causing a resurgence of malaria in Venezuela,
which used to be a world leader in managing the disease. In 2013, 76,621 cases
(pdf) of malaria were reported in Venezuela, the majority among men aged
between 15 and 44 years old, and with 93% of cases (pdf) occuring in the state
of Bolivar where gold mining is booming. Estimates suggest that the number of
cases will only continue to rise. Both legal and illegal mining create the
perfect conditions for malaria to resurface and spread. “There is a large
number of miners drilling holes in search of minerals. These holes with
stagnant water are breeding grounds for mosquitoes,” says Jo Lines, a reader of
malaria control and vector biology at the London School of Hygiene &
Tropical Medicine. More… 
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