THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN JIGGERS INFESTATION AND CLIMATE VARIABILITY IN TESO NORTH, BUSIA COUNTY KENYA
Authors:
Mukhavali Celestine, S.b.b Oteng’i & Dr E. M. Neyole
Abstract:
Jiggers develop under tropical and subtropical climates of the world and it’s usually recorded on the first rain instances. In Teso North, the climate is recorded as hot and wet and there are jiggers infestations at a whole time high. This paper sorted to establish the link between jiggers and climate in Busia county, Teso North. The study found out that jiggers were dominant during low humidity and the rainfall trend has been decreasing from 1987 to 2017 posing a threat to jiggers infestation. The ALUPE metrological station reported a change in temperature with hotter seasons and 95.5% of respondents indicating an increased jigger infestation over time. The respondents indicated that the change in climate over time is linked with the change in climate and there was more jiggers’ infestation in the past than now.