Avian Malaria and Altitude
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Date
2024-04
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Abstract
Avian malaria is a mosquito-borne disease in birds caused by Plasmodium parasites. The disease has contributed to the decline and extinction of several forest birds. Furthermore, avian species play a significant role as a reservoir for many pathogens and zoonotic diseases. Although zoonotic transmission of non-human malaria parasites is deemed unlikely for most Plasmodium species, climate change and rapid urbanization have put ecological pressures on parasites that may change the mode of transmission and Avian malaria is a mosquito-borne disease in birds caused by Plasmodium parasites. The disease has contributed to the decline and extinction of several forest birds. Furthermore, avian species play a significant role as a reservoir for many pathogens and zoonotic diseases. Although zoonotic transmission of non-human malaria parasites is deemed unlikely for most Plasmodium species, climate change and rapid urbanization have put ecological pressures on parasites that may change the mode of transmission and host-seeking behavior rendering human populations at risk. Altitude and weather are one such ecological pressure. High elevation is not a favorable habitat for Plasmodium because of its associated low temperatures. However, increasing temperatures may lead to a shift to higher elevations for Plasmodium populations.
The current study investigated the relationship between elevation and avian malaria, a relatively new research area lacking adequate attention. Using secondary sources from the Dryad Repository, data on avian infection rates in three bird communities from lowland forests in Cameroon, highland forests in East Africa, and fynbos in South Africa were collected. The association between infection rates and altitude was analyzed and hot spots were mapped using geospatial information systems. The results showed an inverse trend between altitude and infection rates with higher altitude being correlated with lower infection rates, although this was not statistically significant. Analyses also revealed outliers within our small sample. Future research would benefit from larger-scale studies to confirm the observed trend and as well as collect temperature and parasitic load over a longer time period. This study underlines the importance of understanding the ecological conditions of avian malaria transmission for avian welfare with important implications for human health.
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Malaria in birds at different altitudes