Dengue outbreak in Rampur, docs blame it on climate change

Doctors are attributing the massive dengue outbreak in Rampur in Shimla district to climate change. Till today, over 500 dengue cases have been reported from the town and its nearby places. The area has seen such a huge dengue outbreak for the first time. “With higher temperatures and humidity, the climate in the area has become conducive for the breeding of mosquitoes that carry the dengue virus. The major reason behind the outbreak is the changing climate,” says District Surveillance Officer Dr Vineet Lakhanpal, who has visited the area to control the spread of the disease and make people aware about it.

500 cases reported

• Rampur with higher temperatures and humidity has conducive climate for the breeding of mosquitoes that carry the dengue virus
• The dengue outbreak started around August 21 and hit its peak in the first week of September
• Over 500 dengue cases have been reported from Rampur and its nearby places till now

Dr Lakhanpal says that it’s the first instance of a big dengue outbreak in the hilly areas of Shimla district. “Normally, dengue cases are reported in the lower areas of the state like Nalagarh, Una etc. I don’t remember even a small outbreak of dengue in and around Rampur in the past. This incidence came as a surprise and people got scared when the number of dengue patients rose alarmingly,” says Muskaan Negi, Chairperson of the Municipal Council, Rampur.

The outbreak started around August 21 and hit its peak in the first week of September. “Initially, it started with four or five cases per day and rose to around 50 cases per day in the first week of September. Now, the number of cases has reduced and we are expecting it to end by the end of this month,” says Dr Lakhanpal.

He adds that water accumulated in abandoned containers, plastic bottles and tyres also facilitated the breeding of dengue mosquitoes. “Health Department teams visited the area to raise awareness about dengue among local people and study the reasons behind the outbreak. These efforts and the slide in temperatures have led to the decline in the number of dengue cases,” he says.

Given that climatic conditions in Rampur have become conducive for the breeding of dengue mosquitoes, the disease can spread again next year. “It’s quite possible. So, we will have to start our dengue-prevention activities in the area from May next year,” he adds.