General Studies (Paper - 1) : Model Question & Answers

Question: Discuss the possible correlation of dengue epidemic with ‘climate’ in general and ‘climate change’ in particular.

Answer: Dengue is a viral disease transmitted by the bite of female mosquito species Aedes Aegypti and Aedes-Albopictus. Outbreaks of the illness are usually observed in the post-monsoon season when mosquitoes breed in stagnant water and proliferate. But this year dengue lost its seasonality. Mosquitoes that transmit dengue can breed year round. All they need is stagnant water, which was available in plenty throughout the year. This year, India experienced more dry days than wet days during the monsoon season. This created a perfect condition for mosquitoes to breed. The prevailing El-Nino condition this year could be behind this.

Climate Change is going to make the environment conducive for the spread of all vectorborne diseases (dengue, malaria, filaria, Japanese encephalitis and Chikungunya). The temperature rise can lead to floods, and this may lead to an increase in vector-borne diseases. Vector-borne disease risks increase as sea level rises and creates new breeding grounds along the coast. The Inter- overnmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) also says Climate Change is likely to expand the geographical distribution of several vector-borne diseases and extend transmission seasons in some locations.