UN warns ‘Super El Nino’ poses significant threat to global health

The United Nations has warned that the current El Nino poses a significant threat to global health as extreme weather increases risks of disease and humanitarian crises.

According to Channels Television, the World Health Organization said heavy rainfall could create favourable conditions for cholera and disease-carrying mosquitoes, potentially increasing malaria, chikungunya and dengue fever cases.

WHO official Teresa Zakaria described El Nino as a “significant public health threat” and “risk multiplier,” urging countries to act.

The World Meteorological Organization earlier forecast that the current El Nino could be the strongest since comparable records began four decades ago.

Although El Nino is not caused by climate change, scientists warn it could intensify heat and weather extremes on an already warming planet.