Studies have shown that dengue virus transmission increases in association with ambient temperature. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the effect of both high temperatures and heatwave events on dengue transmission in different climate zones globally. A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science from January 1990 to September 20, 2022. We included peer reviewed original observational studies using ecological time series, case crossover, or case series study designs reporting the association of high temperatures and heatwave with dengue and comparing risks over different exposures or time periods. Studies classified as case reports, clinical trials, non-human studies, conference abstracts, editorials, reviews, books, posters, commentaries; and studies that examined only seasonal effects were excluded. Effect estimates were extracted from published literature. A random effects meta-analysis was performed to pool the relative risks (RRs) of dengue infection per 1 °C increase in temperature, and further subgroup analyses were also conducted. The quality and strength of evidence were evaluated following the Navigation Guide systematic review methodology framework. The review protocol has been registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO). The study selection process yielded 6367 studies. A total of 106 studies covering more than four million dengue cases fulfilled the inclusion criteria; of these, 54 studies were eligible for meta-analysis. The overall pooled estimate showed a 13% increase in risk of dengue infection (RR = 1.13; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.11-1.16, I² = 98.0%) for each 1 °C increase in high temperatures. Subgroup analyses by climate zones suggested greater effects of temperature in tropical monsoon climate zone (RR = 1.29, 95% CI: 1.11-1.51) and humid subtropical climate zone (RR = 1.20, 95% CI: 1.15-1.25). Heatwave events showed association with an increased risk of dengue infection (RR = 1.08; 95% CI: 0.95-1.23, I² = 88.9%), despite a wide confidence interval. The overall strength of evidence was found to be "sufficient" for high temperatures but "limited" for heatwaves. Our results showed that high temperatures increased the risk of dengue infection, albeit with varying risks across climate zones and different levels of national income. High temperatures increased the relative risk of dengue infection. Future studies on the association between temperature and dengue infection should consider local and regional climate, socio-demographic and environmental characteristics to explore vulnerability at local and regional levels for tailored prevention. Australian Research Council Discovery Program.

Solid waste disposal is one of the challenging components in integrated solid waste management. Particularly the problem is prominent in cities with rapid population growth and waste generation. Harar, a capital city of Harari regional state located in the eastern part of Ethiopia, covers an area of 19.5 km² and has a total population of 270 000. Despite the fastest population growth of the city, it doesn’t have a landfill site to accommodate the waste generated and open dumping is in full practice. As an integral part of a solid waste management plan, the construction of a landfill has been suggested by the city municipality. However, the multi-dimensional and conflicting aspect of landfill sitting, which involves environmental, social, technical, and economic considerations, challenges the location of a suitable landfill site. In the current study, we have applied geographic information system (GIS) and analytical hierarchy process (AHP) multi-criteria decision analysis to select a landfill site through minimizing conflicting interests. Environmental and socio-economic factors including well water, distance from residence, land use and land cover, elevation, slope, and wind direction were weighted to develop a suitability index for landfill siting. Experts’ opinion was obtained to rank the aforementioned factors. The required landfill size was determined based on population growth, waste generation rate, and waste volume/year. Accordingly, the suitability index resulted in 3% of the area as highly suitable, and the rest 0.29%, 14.18%, 52.75%, and 29.8% classified as unsuitable, least suitable, moderately suitable, and suitable, respectively. Considering the future trend of waste generation, 16 ha of land located in the eastern part of the city was selected as a candidate landfill site with all the required suitability. The results of this study can be used as an input for decision making in siting landfill for Harar city.

As temperatures rise, the transmission and incidence of enteric infections such as those caused by Salmonella and Campylobacter increase. This study aimed to review and synthesise the available evidence on the effects of exposure to ambient temperatures on non-typhoidal Salmonella and Campylobacter infections. A systematic search was conducted for peer-reviewed epidemiological studies published between January 1990 and March 2024, in PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science databases. Original observational studies using ecological time-series, case-crossover or case-series study designs reporting the association between ambient temperature and non-typhoidal Salmonella and Campylobacter infections in the general population were included. A random-effects meta-analysis was performed to pool the relative risks (RRs) per 1 °C temperature increase, and further meta regression, and subgroup analyses by climate zone, temperature metrics, temporal resolution, lag period, and continent were conducted. The Navigation Guide systematic review methodology framework was used to assess the quality and strength of evidence. The study protocol was registered with the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO). Out of 3472 results, 44 studies were included in this systematic review encompassing over one million cases each of Salmonella and Campylobacter infections. Geographically, the 44 studies covered 27 countries across five continents and most of the studies were from high income countries. The meta-analysis incorporated 23 Salmonella studies (65 effect estimates) and 15 Campylobacter studies (24 effect estimates). For each 1 °C rise in temperature, the risk of non-typhoidal Salmonella and Campylobacter infections increased by 5% (RR: 1.05, 95% CI: 1.04–1.06), and 5% (RR: 1.05, 95% CI: 1.04–1.07%), respectively, with varying risks across different climate zones. The overall evidence was evaluated as being of “high” quality, and the strength of the evidence was determined to be “sufficient” for both infections. These findings emphasise the relationship between temperature and the incidence of Salmonella and Campylobacter infections. It is crucial to exercise caution when generalising these findings, given the limited number of studies conducted in low and middle-income countries. Nevertheless, the results demonstrate the importance of implementing focused interventions and adaptive measures, such as the establishment of localised early warning systems and preventive strategies that account for climatic fluctuations. Furthermore, our research emphasises the ongoing need for surveillance and research efforts to monitor and understand the changing dynamics of temperature-related enteric infections in the context of climate change. 10.13039/501100000923 Australian Research Council Discovery Projects grant (ARC DP200102571) Program.

Lake Ziway is one of the largest freshwater lakes located in the central Ethiopian rift valley. The lake shoreline is dominated by macrophytes which play an important role in immobilizing run-off pollution, stabilize sediments and support biodiversity. Monitoring the spatio-temporal changes of great lakes requires standardized methods. The aim of this study was to assess the current and long-term trends of macrophyte distribution, surface water area and the water level of Lake Ziway using remote sensing images from 1986 to 2016 with additional hydro-meteorological data. A supervised image classification with classification enhancement using Normalized Difference Aquatic Vegetation Index (NDAVI) and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) was applied. The classification based on NDAVI revealed eight target classes which were identified with an overall producer’s accuracy of 79.6%. Contemporary open water and macrophyte fringes occupied most of the study area with a total area of 407.4 km² and 60.1 km², respectively. The findings also revealed a regime shift in the mean water level of the lake and a decline in macrophyte distribution. The long-term water surface area of Lake Ziway also decreased between 1986 and 2016. The changes in water level could be explained by climate variability in the region and strong anthropogenic disturbance. A decline in water level was also associated with lowered surface water area, lakeward retreated macrophyte fringes and enhanced landward encroachment of mudflats, and resulted in a succession of macrophytes with semi-terrestrial vegetations.

Salmonella and Campylobacter infections are leading causes of bacterial gastrointestinal infections, with rising global incidence. Rising temperatures are expected to further drive the transmission and prevalence of enteric infections. Quantifying the current and future burden of Salmonella and Campylobacter infections is crucial for guiding prevention strategies. This study aimed to assess the present and projected burden of Salmonella and Campylobacter infections attributable to rising temperatures in Australia. In this comparative risk assessment modelling study, disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) associated with Salmonella and Campylobacter infections from 2003 to 2018 were acquired from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare and analysed. A meta-regression model was employed to estimate the increase in infection risk per 1°C rise in temperature. Exposure distributions for each Köppen-Geiger climate zone were calculated and compared with the theoretical minimum risk exposure to establish the burden attributable to rising temperatures. Projected burdens for the 2030s and 2050s were assessed under two representative concentration pathways (RCP4.5 and RCP8.5), considering population growth and adaptation scenarios. Between 2003 and 2018, rising temperatures attributed to 11% (41·8 [SD 2·8] DALYs) of Salmonella and 8% (28·1 [1·8] DALYs) of Campylobacter burden. The highest burden was in the tropical rainforest climate zone. By the 2050s, under RCP8.5 and medium population growth without adaptation, Salmonella and Campylobacter burdens could reach 100·6 (10·9) and 67·9 (7·4) DALYs, respectively. A 10% adaptation measure could reduce these to 89·5 (8·3) and 61·8 (6·7) DALYs. This study presents the first national assessment of the temperature-attributable burden of Salmonella and Campylobacter infections in Australia. It addresses a substantial knowledge gap by providing data-driven projections and underscores the necessity for targeted public health interventions and region-specific climate adaptation strategies to mitigate enteric infection risks. Australian Research Council Discovery Program.