It is alarming that incidences of vector borne diseases like Malaria and Dengue in the state is on the rise despite efforts by the government to control it. Malaria incidences in the state in fact has increased from 2.62 lakh cases in 2012 to 4.12 lakh cases this year. Transmission of cases has gone up with changes in climate, and weather and this has been officially validated. Rainfall, temperature and humidity have a direct bearing on the outbreak and severity of the disease and the concentration of the disease in certain districts show the correlation between certain climatic conditions and the outbreak of the disease. It is shocking that despite targeted interventions, the state witnesses 38% of the total cases and 28% of the total deaths due to malaria and dengue in the country.
This has made it incumbent to launch a collaborative research with experts from meteorological, health and veterinary agencies who should analyze the situation and micro segment vulnerable areas as per climate variations. This will help assessing impact of climatic factors on vectors, parasites and viruses enabling development of risk maps and warning systems. This will ultimately help fighting the scourge of these diseases.
