DROUGHT: HUMAN HEALTH EFFECTS

Drought can lead to long term public health issues, with one of the most severe being shortages of drinking water, or poor quality drinking water. Droughts may also lead to more disease, such as the “West Nile Virus”, which was carried by mosquitoes breeding in stagnant water pools.

In addition to this, severe drought conditions can negatively affect air quality as well. During the time of a drought, there is an increased risk for wildfires and dust storms. The particulate matter suspended in the air from these events may irritate the bronchial passages and lungs, which can exacerbate chronic respiratory illnesses, in addition to increasing the risk of several respiratory infections, such as bronchitis and pneumonia.