Last year it was reported that the tropical forests are witnessing a growth. However, recent reports suggest that more forests are being cut down and the resulting deforestation is having terrible effects on the environment. The indiscriminate cutting of the forest is also leading to extinction of many species.

The deforested areas are reportedly showing higher rates of malaria.

The researchers observed the images taken from satellites in Acre, Brazil. They also observed the reports submitted by heath workers. The results of the study were published in the journal of US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. According to the study, the malaria rates are increasing in the deforested areas by as much as 50%.

There are many pools and lakes in such areas where there is a good access to sunlight. These places provide ideal conditions for Anopheles mosquitoes, which are malaria carriers. The other mosquitoes who do not carry malaria occupy the pools, which are covered by dense forests.

Sara Olson, co-author of the study, reveals that deforestation is one of the preliminary environmental causes that can set off malaria outbreak.

Kenya witnessed similar observations in the year 2008, although the mosquito causing malaria in that region belongs to a different species.