UN Report Links Infectious Disease Outbreak in Congo to Environment

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By Cathy Majtenyi
Nairobi
21 February 2005

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A United Nations' environment official Monday said the recent outbreak of pneumonic plague in the Democratic Republic of Congo could be linked to environmental conditions. This is one example of what experts note is a growing link between environmental degradation and the rise in infectious diseases.

The head of the environment and health unit at the United Nations Environment Program, Hiremagalur Gopalan, told reporters in Nairobi exposure to mercury and overcrowded living conditions likely played a major role in the recent outbreak of pneumonic plague among miners in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

"They are also immuno-compromised,” he said. “There is mining activity. They're also exposed to mercury. Mercury is known to reduce the immune activity. And they also live close together. This pneumonic plague is through breathing, through aerosols. So it's possible that it is linked to the environment in which they live." <snip>

http://www.voanews.com/english/2005-02-21-voa29.cfm