ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: We address the hypothesis that the extraordinary sandstorm occurred on 22-24 February 2020 might have a role in the different cumulated incidence of COVID-19 cases between the islands of Tenerife and Gran Canaria, since it obliged to reduce significantly air traffic and forced to suspend all major carnival street events in all most locations. METHOD: We performed a retrospective analysis of COVID-19 cases as to 1 April 2020 according to symptoms onset, weather-related data and Carnival events in Tenerife and Gran Canaria. RESULTS: The sandstorm occurred on February 22-24, 2020, forced air traffic to close, reducing the influx of tourists to the Canary Islands and suspending carnival events in most places, except in Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Cumulated incidence as to 1 April was 132.81/100,000 in Tenerife, and 56.04/100,000 in Gran Canaria. CONCLUSIONS: The suspension of Carnival events due to the sandstorm in the Canary Islands contributed to reduce differently the SARS-CoV-2 spread in Tenerife and Gran Canaria
OBJETIVO: Investigar la hipótesis de que la extraordinaria tormenta de arena ocurrida el 22-24 de febrero de 2020 pudo tener un papel en la diferente incidencia acumulada de casos de COVID-19 entre las islas de Tenerife y Gran Canaria, en cuanto conllevó una reducción significativa del tráfico aéreo y la cancelación de las mayores celebraciones del carnaval en muchas poblaciones. MÉTODO: Se realiza un análisis retrospectivo de los casos de COVID-19 hasta el 1 abril de 2020 según fecha de inicio de los síntomas, de los datos climáticos y de las celebraciones de carnaval en Tenerife y Gran Canaria. RESULTADOS: La tormenta de arena ocurrida el 22-24 de febrero de 2020 obligó a cerrar el tráfico aéreo, reduciendo la llegada de turistas a Canarias, y a suspender las celebraciones de los carnavales en muchas poblaciones, excepto en Santa Cruz de Tenerife. El 1 abril de 2020, la incidencia acumulada de casos era de 132,81/100.000 en Tenerife y de 56,04/100.000 en Gran Canaria. CONCLUSIONES: La cancelación de las celebraciones de carnaval debido a la tempestad de arena en las Islas Canarias parece que contribuyó de manera diferente a la reducción de la incidencia del SARS-CoV-2 en Tenerife y Gran Canaria
Subject(s)
Humans , Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome/transmission , Severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus/pathogenicity , Coronavirus Infections/epidemiology , Dust Storm , Spain/epidemiology , Retrospective Studies , Psychological Distance , Quarantine/statistics & numerical data , Pandemics/statistics & numerical data , Risk FactorsSubject(s)
Humans , Asthma/etiology , Rhinitis/etiology , Dust Storm , Desert , Respiratory Hypersensitivity/etiology , Respiratory Hypersensitivity/prevention & control , Respiratory Tract Infections/etiology , Respiratory Tract Infections/prevention & control , Asthma/prevention & control , Rhinitis/prevention & control , Chronic Disease , Africa, NorthernABSTRACT
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Subject(s)
Humans , Desert , Hazards/adverse effects , Dust Storm , Particulate Matter/adverse effects , Environmental Exposure/adverse effects , Africa, Northern , Public Health , Environmental Health , EuropeABSTRACT
This paper provides a review and analysis of dust storm phenomena in may parts of the world. The study investigates their types, general characteristics, hazards, preparedness and their relation to atmospheric elements. A suggested mechanism of dust storm formation is discussed as well as detailed study of dust storms of desert depression type, including some case studies. The results show the importance of descending motion for true dust storms and that the transverse indirect circulation may play an important role in these phenomena. The relationship between dust storms over China and the suppression of the Walker cell, as a result of El Niño events, is also discussed. (AU)
