Medical experts suggest that periods of extreme heat followed by sudden rainfall can significantly increase the risk of vector-borne diseases such as dengue, malaria, chikungunya, Zika, and West Nile fever. This comes after an alteration in temperatures and weather patterns, giving a conducive environment for the incubation of several viruses as temperatures rise and fall. Technically, Vector-borne diseases are caused by pathogens after getting transmitted from an infected animal to a human by a vector (a living organism, like a tick or mosquito). The diseases include dengue, Zika virus, malaria, Chikungunya and yellow fever. Based on the data, vector-borne diseases account for over 17 per cent of all infectious diseases, which cause more than 700,000 deaths annually in the world. The sudden rainfall influences the pathogens, vectors and hosts responsible for vector-borne diseases, resulting in climate change-driven shifts in temperature and rainfall patterns that can significantly affect how these diseases spread.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/science-behind-why-sudden-weather-shifts-cause-intense-migraines-1780641183868">Science behind why sudden weather shifts cause intense migraines</a><h3>The doctor claims temperature and rainfall are most critical factors</h3>In response to the outbreaks, Dr Rajat Kant Jain, Senior Consultant, Internal Medicine and Physicians at Kailash Deepak Hospital, stated that temperature and rainfall are among the most critical environmental factors which influence the life cycle of disease-carrying mosquitoes and other vectors. "During a heat wave, high temperatures accelerate mosquito development. Warmer conditions shorten the time required for mosquito eggs to mature into adults and can also speed up the replication of viruses and parasites inside the mosquito. As a result, mosquitoes become capable of transmitting infections more quickly," Dr Rajat Kant Jain said."When heavy rain arrives after prolonged heat, the risk increases further. Rainwater accumulates in puddles, drains, containers, discarded tyres, and other stagnant water sources, creating numerous breeding sites for mosquitoes. Dormant mosquito eggs that survive dry conditions can hatch rapidly when exposed to water. This often leads to an explosion in mosquito populations within days or weeks of rainfall," he added. "The combination of heat and moisture is particularly favourable for species such as Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus, the primary vectors of dengue, chikungunya, and Zika. High temperatures increase mosquito activity and feeding frequency, while rainfall ensures a steady supply of breeding habitats. Together, these factors can significantly increase disease transmission," Dr Jain also said. Noting about the climate researchers, Dr Jain also highlighted the broader impact of climate change on public health. He noted that extreme weather events, including heat waves, heavy rainfall, floods, and shifting precipitation patterns, are contributing to the spread of vector-borne diseases into new regions. Outbreaks are increasingly being connected to unusual weather events that generate favourable conditions for vectors to thrive. Public health experts recommend preventive measures such as eliminating stagnant water around homes, improving drainage systems, using mosquito repellents, and strengthening disease surveillance after periods of heavy rain following extreme heat. In addition, Dr also stressed that early intervention is critical, as mosquito populations can increase rapidly, allowing outbreaks to develop before communities fully discover the risk.&nbsp;

Dr Jain said that extreme weather events, including heat waves, heavy rainfall, floods, and shifting precipitation patterns, are contributing to the spread of vector-borne diseases into new regions. 

Medical experts suggest that periods of extreme heat followed by sudden rainfall can significantly increase the risk of vector-borne diseases such as dengue, malaria, chikungunya, Zika, and West Nile fever. This comes after an alteration in temperatures and weather patterns, giving a conducive environment for the incubation of several viruses as temperatures rise and fall. Technically, Vector-borne diseases are caused by pathogens after getting transmitted from an infected animal to a human by a vector (a living organism, like a tick or mosquito). The diseases include dengue, Zika virus, malaria, Chikungunya and yellow fever. Based on the data, vector-borne diseases account for over 17 per cent of all infectious diseases, which cause more than 700,000 deaths annually in the world. The sudden rainfall influences the pathogens, vectors and hosts responsible for vector-borne diseases, resulting in climate change-driven shifts in temperature and rainfall patterns that can significantly affect how these diseases spread. Also read: Science behind why sudden weather shifts cause intense migraines The doctor claims temperature and rainfall are most critical factors In response to the outbreaks, Dr Rajat Kant Jain, Senior Consultant, Internal Medicine and Physicians at Kailash Deepak Hospital, stated that temperature and rainfall are among the most critical environmental factors which influence the life cycle of disease-carrying mosquitoes and other vectors. "During a heat wave, high temperatures accelerate mosquito development. Warmer conditions shorten the time required for mosquito eggs to mature into adults and can also speed up the replication of viruses and parasites inside the mosquito. As a result, mosquitoes become capable of transmitting infections more quickly," Dr Rajat Kant Jain said. "When heavy rain arrives after prolonged heat, the risk increases further. Rainwater accumulates in puddles, drains, containers, discarded tyres, and other stagnant water sources, creating numerous breeding sites for mosquitoes. Dormant mosquito eggs that survive dry conditions can hatch rapidly when exposed to water. This often leads to an explosion in mosquito populations within days or weeks of rainfall," he added. "The combination of heat and moisture is particularly favourable for species such as Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus, the primary vectors of dengue, chikungunya, and Zika. High temperatures increase mosquito activity and feeding frequency, while rainfall ensures a steady supply of breeding habitats. Together, these factors can significantly increase disease transmission," Dr Jain also said. Noting about the climate researchers, Dr Jain also highlighted the broader impact of climate change on public health. He noted that extreme weather events, including heat waves, heavy rainfall, floods, and shifting precipitation patterns, are contributing to the spread of vector-borne diseases into new regions. Outbreaks are increasingly being connected to unusual weather events that generate favourable conditions for vectors to thrive. Public health experts recommend preventive measures such as eliminating stagnant water around homes, improving drainage systems, using mosquito repellents, and strengthening disease surveillance after periods of heavy rain following extreme heat. In addition, Dr also stressed that early intervention is critical, as mosquito populations can increase rapidly, allowing outbreaks to develop before communities fully discover the risk.

Dr Jain said that extreme weather events, including heat waves, heavy rainfall, floods, and shifting precipitation patterns, are contributing to the spread of vector-borne diseases into new regions.&nbsp;

How sudden rain after heat waves triggers vector-borne outbreaks

Google-backed researchers are seeking approval to release up to 32 million sterile mosquitoes as part of an ambitious effort to combat disease-carrying mosquito populations. The project aims to curb the spread of illnesses such as dengue by reducing the number of mosquitoes capable of reproducing.

But how does the technology work, and could releasing millions of insects create unintended consequences for the environment? As regulators review the proposal, the debate over science, public health and human intervention in nature is intensifying.

Google Plans to Release 32 Million Mosquito Army | Tiny Killers, Giant Experiment

A recent study published in the journal Cell, suggests that some people really are “mosquito magnets” and it is probably linked to the way they smell. According to the researchers, every person has certain body odours and this unique scent profile comprises different chemical compounds which make a person more or less attractive to a mosquito.&nbsp;

The research published on Tuesday indicates that mosquitoes were most drawn to people whose skin produces high levels of carboxylic acids. “If you have high levels of this stuff on your skin, you’re going to be the one at the picnic getting all the bites,” said author Leslie Vosshall of Rockefeller University in New York. The neurobiologist and mosquito expert also pointed out that there was a lot of folklore on the subject of some people being mosquito magnets but not enough evidence.&nbsp;

Furthermore, even after scientists had previously theorised the body odour phenomenon they have not been able to confirm which specific odours the mosquitoes prefer, said Vosshall. Therefore, the authors of the study set out to test this phenomenon and designed an experiment, said a senior scientist at the biotech company Kingdom Supercultures and lead author of the study, Maria Elena De Obaldia.&nbsp;

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pakistan-approves-purchase-of-six-million-mosquito-nets-from-india-to-curb-malaria-cases-524582">Pakistan approves purchase of six million mosquito nets from India to curb malaria cases</a>

The lead author said that 64 volunteers chosen for the study were asked to wear nylon stockings around their forearms for at least six hours after which they captured each person’s unique smell. Subsequently, they cut out pieces of nylon and placed two samples from different participants at the end of a long tube in a closed container full of female Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, which spread diseases like yellow fever, Zika and dengue.&nbsp;

The research went on for months and they even collected new samples from the volunteers when needed, said Vosshall. The study concluded that some people were more attractive to the mosquitoes than others and dubbed Subject 33 (a participant in the study) as the biggest mosquito magnet whose scent was notably 100 times more attractive to the mosquitoes than the least attractive subject.&nbsp;

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/scientists-reveal-why-mosquitoes-prefer-human-blood-over-other-animals-477439">Scientists reveal why mosquitoes prefer human blood over other animals</a>

Subsequently, the researchers analysed the participants’ scent profiles to examine the reason for this vast difference and found a common factor that the mosquito magnets produced higher levels of carboxylic acids when compared to their least attractive counterparts. According to Vosshall, these “greasy molecules” help keep our skin moisturised and protected, however, different people produce them in different amounts.&nbsp;

As the study went on for months, the two authors ran the test multiple times and found that the subject’s level of attractiveness to the mosquito remained nearly the same and any personal factors like change in diet or personal hygiene did not affect their rankings, “This property of being a mosquito magnet sticks with you for your whole life—which is either good news or bad news, depending on who you are,” said Vosshall.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

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A recent study published in the journal Cell, suggests that some people really are “mosquito magnets” and it is probably linked to the way they smell. According to the researchers, every person has certain body odours and this unique scent profile comprises different chemical compounds which make a person more or less attractive to a mosquito.

A recent study published in the journal Cell, suggests that some people really are “mosquito magnets” and it is probably linked to the way they smell. According to the researchers, every person has certain body odours and this unique scent profile comprises different chemical compounds which make a person more or less attractive to a mosquito. The research published on Tuesday indicates that mosquitoes were most drawn to people whose skin produces high levels of carboxylic acids. “If you have high levels of this stuff on your skin, you’re going to be the one at the picnic getting all the bites,” said author Leslie Vosshall of Rockefeller University in New York. The neurobiologist and mosquito expert also pointed out that there was a lot of folklore on the subject of some people being mosquito magnets but not enough evidence. Furthermore, even after scientists had previously theorised the body odour phenomenon they have not been able to confirm which specific odours the mosquitoes prefer, said Vosshall. Therefore, the authors of the study set out to test this phenomenon and designed an experiment, said a senior scientist at the biotech company Kingdom Supercultures and lead author of the study, Maria Elena De Obaldia. ALSO READ: Pakistan approves purchase of six million mosquito nets from India to curb malaria cases The lead author said that 64 volunteers chosen for the study were asked to wear nylon stockings around their forearms for at least six hours after which they captured each person’s unique smell. Subsequently, they cut out pieces of nylon and placed two samples from different participants at the end of a long tube in a closed container full of female Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, which spread diseases like yellow fever, Zika and dengue. The research went on for months and they even collected new samples from the volunteers when needed, said Vosshall. The study concluded that some people were more attractive to the mosquitoes than others and dubbed Subject 33 (a participant in the study) as the biggest mosquito magnet whose scent was notably 100 times more attractive to the mosquitoes than the least attractive subject. ALSO READ: Scientists reveal why mosquitoes prefer human blood over other animals Subsequently, the researchers analysed the participants’ scent profiles to examine the reason for this vast difference and found a common factor that the mosquito magnets produced higher levels of carboxylic acids when compared to their least attractive counterparts. According to Vosshall, these “greasy molecules” help keep our skin moisturised and protected, however, different people produce them in different amounts. As the study went on for months, the two authors ran the test multiple times and found that the subject’s level of attractiveness to the mosquito remained nearly the same and any personal factors like change in diet or personal hygiene did not affect their rankings, “This property of being a mosquito magnet sticks with you for your whole life—which is either good news or bad news, depending on who you are,” said Vosshall. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Study finds why some people are ‘mosquito magnets’ and might remain that way

India continues to face the record heatwave. The northern state of Uttar Pradesh is facing cases of vector-borne diseases due to the sweltering heat and lack of proper sanitation

Heatwave in India: Cases of Vector-borne diseases rise

While the central and state governments pass the buck, viral fever deaths in New Delhi and the adjoining National Capital Region (NCR) are on the rise. With a combined death toll of 30 for chikungunya and dengue -- add to it the mysterious viral fever that is feared to have caused 12 deaths in a neighbouring village --&nbsp;fever is turning deadly in the city. And from slums to posh colonies, everybody is seemingly in danger. As per National Vector-Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP) data, 1,724 people have tested positive for chikungunya and 1,158 for dengue. 
 
But it is to be noted that patients are concentrated, but not limited to, areas that have acute sanitation and cleanliness problems. Mukesh Yadav, a spokesman for the South Delhi Municipal Corporation, has been quoted admitting to the presence of nearly 1,185 unauthorised colonies in south Delhi. The number of chikungunya and dengue patients from here account for one-fifth of the total figure. While there is immense politicking happening over the situation, medical experts have a different opinion. 
 
Dr Navneet Singh, director emergency and acute care medicine of two super-speciality hospitals, B L Kapoor (New Delhi) and Nanavati (Mumbai), says that panic amongst the ill-informed population is a bigger cause for worry than the fever itself. &ldquo;While it is true that there is a spike in the number of chikungunya patients, it is not a life-threatening ailment. Yes, it is crippling with remnant joint pains troubling the patients long after the fever subsides&rdquo; emphasises Dr Singh. Elaborating upon the associated panic, he says, &ldquo;Because of lack of awareness in general public and many myths doing rounds, the moment people are tested positive for dengue or chikungunya they want to be admitted into the hospitals. Unless suffering from co-morbid situations, 95% patients do not require to be admitted.&rdquo; As per him, both parties, patients and doctors, are to be blamed for the much-talked-about bed shortage in different hospitals. 
 
Referring to profiteering and unethical medical practices, Dr Singh talks of how many doctors play upon the fears of their patients and insist upon admission. On the other hand, many patients with even a slightly higher body temperature than normal check themselves into hospitals. This creates an environment wherein the wrong diagnosis and negligence become commonplace. In government-run hospitals like Delhi&#39;s Ram Manohar Lohia, doctors are dealing with hundreds of patients on a daily basis. Impatience and fear on the part of the afflicted and their families are overburdening the already strained delivery of health services in the national capital. Examinations and investigations are not done accurately or in time. 
 
Ex-Indian air force officer Piyush Anand also lost his father last week. While the nonagenarian tested positive for chikungunya, his death cannot be attributed to the fever. As per the experts, each death needs to be analysed for the exact cause so that myths and panic do not spread. In Mr Anand&#39;s case, it was cardiac arrest due to pressure on an already weakened heart. 
 
Refuting municipal corporation data on the number of patients, Dr N P Singh, director, Max Super Specialty Hospital, Vaishali says, &ldquo;The actual numbers have been severely downplayed. There are at least forty times more patients in the capital.&rdquo; However, he, like Dr Navneet Singh, also says&nbsp;that only 5% of the total number need to be admitted in hospitals. &ldquo;The full spectrum of the disease needs to be analysed for a better understanding. In roughly 95% of chikungunya cases, paracetamol and ample hydration is needed. It is a self-limiting ailment and the fever usually subsides after 72 hours. Many a time, in a bid to bring instant relief, harsh medication is prescribed which affects the liver adversely and can cause complications.&rdquo; He adds, &ldquo;Doctors and patients both need patience. Patients and their families need to be counselled well. Government, doctors and media should all work in tandem. The need of the hour is education, not exploitation.&rdquo; 
 
New Delhi&#39;s poor sanitation management needs to be tackled on a war footing and every year advisories are issued to deal with endemic and epidemic diseases, particularly during the end of the monsoon. However, this year legislators have got too busy with their blame game and the obfuscation of ground realities. In a farcical turn of events, Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal publicly accused a veteran journalist of being an agent of the central government when the latter voiced concern over the issue. His Aam Aadmi Party&#39;s flagship mohalla committee&nbsp;programme to deal with micro issues locality-wise has also not displayed much zeal in spreading awareness about the diseases. It was only on Sunday evening that the chief minister released a video appealing to people and political parties for cooperation.&nbsp; 
 
(WION)

Impatience and fear on the part of the afflicted and their families are overburdening the already strained delivery of health services

While the central and state governments pass the buck, viral fever deaths in New Delhi and the adjoining National Capital Region (NCR) are on the rise. With a combined death toll of 30 for chikungunya and dengue -- add to it the mysterious viral fever that is feared to have caused 12 deaths in a neighbouring village -- fever is turning deadly in the city. And from slums to posh colonies, everybody is seemingly in danger. As per National Vector-Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP) data, 1,724 people have tested positive for chikungunya and 1,158 for dengue. But it is to be noted that patients are concentrated, but not limited to, areas that have acute sanitation and cleanliness problems. Mukesh Yadav, a spokesman for the South Delhi Municipal Corporation, has been quoted admitting to the presence of nearly 1,185 unauthorised colonies in south Delhi. The number of chikungunya and dengue patients from here account for one-fifth of the total figure. While there is immense politicking happening over the situation, medical experts have a different opinion. Dr Navneet Singh, director emergency and acute care medicine of two super-speciality hospitals, B L Kapoor (New Delhi) and Nanavati (Mumbai), says that panic amongst the ill-informed population is a bigger cause for worry than the fever itself. “While it is true that there is a spike in the number of chikungunya patients, it is not a life-threatening ailment. Yes, it is crippling with remnant joint pains troubling the patients long after the fever subsides” emphasises Dr Singh. Elaborating upon the associated panic, he says, “Because of lack of awareness in general public and many myths doing rounds, the moment people are tested positive for dengue or chikungunya they want to be admitted into the hospitals. Unless suffering from co-morbid situations, 95% patients do not require to be admitted.” As per him, both parties, patients and doctors, are to be blamed for the much-talked-about bed shortage in different hospitals. Referring to profiteering and unethical medical practices, Dr Singh talks of how many doctors play upon the fears of their patients and insist upon admission. On the other hand, many patients with even a slightly higher body temperature than normal check themselves into hospitals. This creates an environment wherein the wrong diagnosis and negligence become commonplace. In government-run hospitals like Delhi's Ram Manohar Lohia, doctors are dealing with hundreds of patients on a daily basis. Impatience and fear on the part of the afflicted and their families are overburdening the already strained delivery of health services in the national capital. Examinations and investigations are not done accurately or in time. Ex-Indian air force officer Piyush Anand also lost his father last week. While the nonagenarian tested positive for chikungunya, his death cannot be attributed to the fever. As per the experts, each death needs to be analysed for the exact cause so that myths and panic do not spread. In Mr Anand's case, it was cardiac arrest due to pressure on an already weakened heart. Refuting municipal corporation data on the number of patients, Dr N P Singh, director, Max Super Specialty Hospital, Vaishali says, “The actual numbers have been severely downplayed. There are at least forty times more patients in the capital.” However, he, like Dr Navneet Singh, also says that only 5% of the total number need to be admitted in hospitals. “The full spectrum of the disease needs to be analysed for a better understanding. In roughly 95% of chikungunya cases, paracetamol and ample hydration is needed. It is a self-limiting ailment and the fever usually subsides after 72 hours. Many a time, in a bid to bring instant relief, harsh medication is prescribed which affects the liver adversely and can cause complications.” He adds, “Doctors and patients both need patience. Patients and their families need to be counselled well. Government, doctors and media should all work in tandem. The need of the hour is education, not exploitation.” New Delhi's poor sanitation management needs to be tackled on a war footing and every year advisories are issued to deal with endemic and epidemic diseases, particularly during the end of the monsoon. However, this year legislators have got too busy with their blame game and the obfuscation of ground realities. In a farcical turn of events, Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal publicly accused a veteran journalist of being an agent of the central government when the latter voiced concern over the issue. His Aam Aadmi Party's flagship mohalla committee programme to deal with micro issues locality-wise has also not displayed much zeal in spreading awareness about the diseases. It was only on Sunday evening that the chief minister released a video appealing to people and political parties for cooperation. (WION)

Chikungunya outbreak: Panic a bigger cause for worry than fever, say doctors

Death toll from Chikungunya and dengue in the Indian capital, Delhi, has risen to 30 while the number of affected people crossed 2,800, media reports said on Thursday.&nbsp; 
 
A 75-year-old man from south Delhi succumbed to chikungunya complications at a city hospital, taking the number of fatalities due to the disease to 12. 
 
&quot;He had acute febrile illness and was tested positive for chikungunya by rapid PCR test, and died at 6:45 am of chikungunya sepsis with septic shock and cardio-pulmonary arrest,&quot; hospital authorities said. 
 
According to the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP), central nodal agency for the prevention and control of vector borne diseases, the number of chikungunya cases in Delhi had spiked to 1,724 till September 11 as and clinics in the city continue to be swamped with patients. 
 
Delhi is showing spurt in chikungunya after nearly 10 years and health experts are conjecturing that this &quot;upsurge&quot; could be due to &quot;evolution&quot; in the chikungunya viral strain. 
 
(WION with inputs from PTI)

Chikungunya cases in Delhi have spiked to 1,724 till September 11: National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme

Death toll from Chikungunya and dengue in the Indian capital, Delhi, has risen to 30 while the number of affected people crossed 2,800, media reports said on Thursday. A 75-year-old man from south Delhi succumbed to chikungunya complications at a city hospital, taking the number of fatalities due to the disease to 12. "He had acute febrile illness and was tested positive for chikungunya by rapid PCR test, and died at 6:45 am of chikungunya sepsis with septic shock and cardio-pulmonary arrest," hospital authorities said. According to the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP), central nodal agency for the prevention and control of vector borne diseases, the number of chikungunya cases in Delhi had spiked to 1,724 till September 11 as and clinics in the city continue to be swamped with patients. Delhi is showing spurt in chikungunya after nearly 10 years and health experts are conjecturing that this "upsurge" could be due to "evolution" in the chikungunya viral strain. (WION with inputs from PTI)

Chikungunya outbreak: Death toll in Indian capital rises to 13