Scientists use mining data to build malaria alert system in the Amazon
A 1% increase in illegal mining led to a 24% spike in malaria cases among the Yanomami, prompting a new data-driven defense.
A recent study has used mining data to develop a malaria alert system in the Amazon, according to the MapBiomas Award. The research, conducted in the Yanomami Indigenous Territory, found a strong correlation between illegal gold mining and rising malaria cases. Led by Márcia Castro from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, the study utilized satellite imagery and health ministry data to reveal that a 1% increase in mined area resulted in a 24% rise in monthly malaria cases.
The findings, published in PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases, suggest that the movement of miners, who transport supplies and machinery, further spreads the parasite through human activity and mosquito bites. The Yanomami territory, home to 31,567 Yanomami, experienced a significant humanitarian crisis under Jair Bolsonaro's far-right policies that encouraged illegal mining.
Despite not being directly mined, other areas in and around the territory saw increased malaria cases due to miners' activities.
Written by urgent.news from Mongabay's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
