Rachel V Thomas

Health and Me

El Niño Could Worsen Dengue, Malaria And Heat Illness: Why WHO Declared A Health Emergency

The developing El Niño event could intensify heatwaves, droughts and extreme rainfall into 2027, increasing health risks worldwide, including heat-related illnesses and infectious diseases such as dengue, malaria and cholera, according to a new <span>World Meteorological Organization</span> (WMO) report.

The <em>State of the Climate in 2026</em> report, released during <span>COP31</span> in Türkiye, warned that El Niño will amplify the health impacts of climate change.

In view of this, the World Health Organization (WHO) has, for the first time, classified the anticipated health impacts as a <span>health emergency</span>.

The report warns of increased heat-related deaths, wildfire smoke exposure, poor air quality, malnutrition, injuries and changing risks of water- and vector-borne diseases.

"We have entered a new age of climate extremes. A supersized El Niño is colliding with a planet already superheated by manmade climate change," UN Secretary-General António Guterres said.

<h2>How Could El Niño Affect Health?</h2>

El Niño is a natural climate phenomenon involving warmer-than-average sea-surface temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific. It influences weather patterns worldwide and can raise global temperatures. The current event is expected to continue into early 2027.

According to the WMO, its health impacts could include:

<ul><li>Extreme heat: More intense heatwaves, heat-related illnesses and deaths.</li><li>Poor air quality: Increased wildfire smoke and pollution exposure.</li><li>Infectious diseases: Changing risks of dengue, malaria and cholera.</li><li>Food insecurity: Disrupted agriculture, malnutrition and water shortages.</li><li>Extreme weather injuries: Greater risks from floods, storms and other disasters.</li></ul>

Vulnerable communities with limited healthcare access and high dependence on rain-fed agriculture could face the greatest risks.

<h2>2026 Among Four Warmest Years On Record</h2>

Further, the report noted that the past 12 years have individually been the warmest on record, with 2023–2026 ranking as the four warmest.

Global average temperatures from January to September 2026 were 1.47°C above the 1850–1900 pre-industrial average. The figure could rise further by year-end as El Niño strengthens. The event has been intensifying since August and is forecast to continue into early 2027.

WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo said El Niño was releasing heat from already warming oceans.

"El Niño doesn't add new heat to the planet. It releases heat from the ocean, which is the warmest ever measured. There is simply more heat available to release," she said. 

<h2>Extreme Weather Is Already Taking A Toll</h2>

The report highlights the human cost of climate extremes across several regions.

<ul><li><strong>Europe</strong>: Heatwaves, droughts and wildfires contributed to more than 30,000 excess deaths, according to preliminary estimates.</li><li><strong>India: </strong>An estimated 146.5 million people were exposed to extreme heat during an April 2026 heatwave.</li><li><strong>Nepal: </strong>A glacier collapse and downstream flash floods in August killed more than 1,300 people and severely affected the country's economy.</li></ul>

<h2>Oceans Continue To Warm As Glaciers Melt</h2>

Earth's energy imbalance reached its highest level since monitoring began in 1960, as greenhouse gases trap more heat in the climate system.

The oceans absorb around 90% of this excess heat. Ocean heat content in the upper 2,000 metres reached a record high in 2025 and continued rising in 2026.

Global sea levels also reached a record high in 2026, driven by melting glaciers and ice sheets and the expansion of warming seawater.

<h2>Early Warning Systems Show Progress</h2>

The number of countries reporting multi-hazard early warning systems increased from 56 in 2015 to 136 in 2025.

These systems help communities prepare for extreme weather and reduce risks to lives and livelihoods.

The WMO stressed that sustained climate monitoring and reliable forecasts are increasingly important as extreme weather intensifies.

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The developing El Niño event could intensify heatwaves, droughts and extreme rainfall into 2027, increasing health risks worldwide, including heat-related illnesses and infectious diseases such as dengue, malaria and cholera, according to a new World Meteorological Organization (WMO) report.The State of the Climate in 2026 report, released during COP31 in Türkiye, warned that El Niño will amplify the health impacts of climate change.In view of this, the World Health Organization (WHO) has, for the first time, classified the anticipated health impacts as a health emergency.The report warns of increased heat-related deaths, wildfire smoke exposure, poor air quality, malnutrition, injuries and changing risks of water- and vector-borne diseases."We have entered a new age of climate extremes. A supersized El Niño is colliding with a planet already superheated by manmade climate change," UN Secretary-General António Guterres said.How Could El Niño Affect Health?El Niño is a natural climate phenomenon involving warmer-than-average sea-surface temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific. It influences weather patterns worldwide and can raise global temperatures. The current event is expected to continue into early 2027.According to the WMO, its health impacts could include:Extreme heat: More intense heatwaves, heat-related illnesses and deaths.Poor air quality: Increased wildfire smoke and pollution exposure.Infectious diseases: Changing risks of dengue, malaria and cholera.Food insecurity: Disrupted agriculture, malnutrition and water shortages.Extreme weather injuries: Greater risks from floods, storms and other disasters.Vulnerable communities with limited healthcare access and high dependence on rain-fed agriculture could face the greatest risks.2026 Among Four Warmest Years On RecordFurther, the report noted that the past 12 years have individually been the warmest on record, with 2023–2026 ranking as the four warmest.Global average temperatures from January to September 2026 were 1.47°C above the 1850–1900 pre-industrial average. The figure could rise further by year-end as El Niño strengthens. The event has been intensifying since August and is forecast to continue into early 2027.WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo said El Niño was releasing heat from already warming oceans."El Niño doesn't add new heat to the planet. It releases heat from the ocean, which is the warmest ever measured. There is simply more heat available to release," she said. Extreme Weather Is Already Taking A TollThe report highlights the human cost of climate extremes across several regions.Europe: Heatwaves, droughts and wildfires contributed to more than 30,000 excess deaths, according to preliminary estimates.India: An estimated 146.5 million people were exposed to extreme heat during an April 2026 heatwave.Nepal: A glacier collapse and downstream flash floods in August killed more than 1,300 people and severely affected the country's economy.Oceans Continue To Warm As Glaciers MeltEarth's energy imbalance reached its highest level since monitoring began in 1960, as greenhouse gases trap more heat in the climate system.The oceans absorb around 90% of this excess heat. Ocean heat content in the upper 2,000 metres reached a record high in 2025 and continued rising in 2026.Global sea levels also reached a record high in 2026, driven by melting glaciers and ice sheets and the expansion of warming seawater.Early Warning Systems Show ProgressThe number of countries reporting multi-hazard early warning systems increased from 56 in 2015 to 136 in 2025.These systems help communities prepare for extreme weather and reduce risks to lives and livelihoods.The WMO stressed that sustained climate monitoring and reliable forecasts are increasingly important as extreme weather intensifies.