GENEVA, SWITZERLAND / RankWire.AI / – Countries are being called upon by the World Meteorological Organization to bolster their health defenses in response to the intensifying El Niño phenomenon across the globe. This climate pattern is projected to reach a very strong level by the conclusion of 2026. Major threats identified by WMO include extreme heat, flooding, drought, wildfire smoke, and declining air quality. The alert also underscores the vulnerability of health infrastructure due to shifts in rainfall and temperature impacting communities in various regions.
Projections from WMO Global Producing Centres indicate a near 100% chance that El Niño will continue through February 2027. The ongoing support of exceptionally warm waters in the tropical Pacific region is fueling the event’s escalation. WMO anticipates El Niño will peak late in 2026, with climate repercussions extending into 2027. The organization emphasizes that intense El Niño episodes can notably alter global rainfall and temperature patterns, heightening the risk of extreme weather events.
During an urban heat resilience conference in New York this week, WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo pointed out the significant health risks linked to El Niño. She called on governments, health authorities, and community groups to collaborate more effectively with meteorological services. Urban areas are particularly vulnerable since structures and roads tend to trap heat during the day and release it slowly at night. Vulnerable populations—including the elderly, children, outdoor laborers, and those with chronic illnesses—are especially at risk during extended periods of elevated temperatures.
Efforts by Health Agencies to Boost El Niño Readiness
On September 5, the World Health Organization issued a comprehensive 63-page Global Public Health Situation Analysis focusing on El Niño. This report aims to support national and regional risk evaluations, preparedness initiatives, and early intervention strategies for vulnerable groups. WHO’s focus includes ensuring health-system readiness as climate conditions evolve across impacted areas. The analysis leverages seasonal forecasts to assist authorities in identifying periods and locations where heat, rainfall variations, and related health threats require heightened monitoring.
Both WMO and WHO warn that rising temperatures and altered rainfall patterns can create favorable conditions for mosquito-borne illnesses, including malaria, dengue, chikungunya, yellow fever, and Zika. They also highlight concerns regarding cholera and malnutrition, which become more severe amid droughts and floods. Currently, over 150 million people face acute food insecurity globally, intensifying pressures in regions affected by climate-induced disruptions to food production and livelihoods.
Convergence of Heat, Disease, and Food Security Challenges
As El Niño peaks in late 2026, regions such as Southern Africa, South America, and Australia will experience their hottest seasons. WMO expressed concern that this overlap could lead to increased droughts, wildfires, smoke, and worsening air pollution. Elevated heat levels can exacerbate health conditions like cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, metabolic, and mental illnesses. Wildfire smoke and poor air quality also elevate respiratory risks, while prolonged heat exposure hampers recovery, especially in densely built urban environments with limited ventilation.
To address these challenges, WMO is collaborating with partners to enhance climate services tailored for health and to foster stronger cooperation between meteorological agencies and public health authorities. The goal is to produce forecasts in formats that enable timely and informed decisions by health officials and emergency responders. The latest WHO assessment also stresses the importance of robust disease surveillance and swift response systems as El Niño shifts temperature and rainfall patterns. Both WMO and WHO have prioritized early warning systems, preparedness, and integrated climate-health data sharing as central components of their response to the escalating 2026 El Niño phenomenon.