The HARMONIZE field team in Paraíba State, northeast Brazil

In July 2024, a dedicated team of researchers from the HARMONIZE project embarked on a week-long scientific expedition in the semi-arid regions of Paraíba, Brazil. The expedition, focused on the municipalities of Patos and Mãe d’Água, aimed to explore how climate change is influencing the spread of infectious diseases in these vulnerable areas. The team, comprising experts from Fiocruz, INPE, and the Federal University of Campina Grande (UFCG), engaged in a series of field activities to gather data and interact with local communities and public health authorities.

HARMONIZE researchers collecting data for landscape descriptions

The expedition's objectives were to collect data using drones, conduct interviews with local residents, and describe the landscapes where diseases like dengue, leishmaniasis, and Chagas disease are most likely to thrive. The researchers visited 12 neighbourhoods of Patos and Mãe d’Água municipalities, flew drones over key areas, conducted 27 landscape descriptions, and held 13 interviews with local residents and health professionals. These efforts were part of a broader initiative to understand how environmental changes are affecting public health in this region.

Ana Rorato (INPE) and the HARMONIZE field team preparing a drone flight at the UFCG campus in Patos

Drone images were obtained over rural and peri-urban areas of Patos and Mãe d’Água, where the landscape is a patchwork of vegetation, rocky outcrops, and small farms. These areas, often overlooked, are critical to understanding how diseases spread. For instance, in rural localities, the team observed triatomine bugs (the vectors of Chagas disease) amidst bricks and construction debris near houses and also noted the presence of uncovered water tanks that could potentially become Aedes mosquito breeding sites. The presence of wild animals, inadequate waste disposal, and poor water supply conditions further complicate the health landscape in these communities.

Izabel Reis (Fiocruz) interviewing local health community workers

The team visited the Health Secretariats of Patos and Mãe d’Água. The health professionals of Patos highlighted the recent rapid growth of the city and the pressing issue of stray dogs, which contribute to the spread of diseases and litter. The lack of a zoonosis control centre and inadequate waste management were identified as significant obstacles in controlling disease vectors like mosquitoes and sand flies. The project team also learned about the surveillance of diseases like leishmaniasis and Chagas, which are often only addressed after human cases are reported. In Mãe d’Água, the discussion focused on the current conditions of the local health system and the need for skilled personnel and investments in information technology.

A triatomine bug captured among construction debris 

As the HARMONIZE project continues, the data gathered during this expedition will play a vital role in developing research that can help protect these communities from the growing threats posed by climate change and infectious diseases. The insights gained from this expedition highlight the urgent need for a coordinated response that includes local governments, health professionals, and the communities themselves. Only through such collaboration can we hope to address the complex challenges of climate change and its impact on public health.

Diego Xavier (Fiocruz) and Raquel Lana (BSC) meeting the workers of the Health Secretariat of Patos

In addition to the fieldwork, the researchers spoke with local radio stations to raise awareness about climate and health, and to explain how the HARMONIZE project is tackling these challenges. Interviews on local radio stations in Patos, such as Rádio Morada do Sol and Rádio Espinharas, allowed the team to connect with the broader community, explaining the importance of their research and encouraging public cooperation. These interviews were instrumental in highlighting the complex interplay between climate, environment, and health, and in reassuring residents that the data collected would be used to inform better public health policies.

Christovam Barcellos (Fiocruz) and Xisto Souza Filho (UFCG) giving an interview to the local radio station Morada do Sol

As the HARMONIZE project continues, the data gathered during this expedition will play a vital role in developing research that can help protect these communities from the growing threats posed by climate change and infectious diseases. The insights gained from this expedition highlight the urgent need for a coordinated response that includes local governments, health professionals, and the communities themselves. Only through such collaboration can we hope to address the complex challenges of climate change and its impact on public health.