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

Oropouche Virus Outbreak: Europe has reported first-ever cases of Oropouche infection, weeks after at least two women in Brazil died of the viral fever in the first-ever casualties of the tropical disease.

Health officials in Europe have issued travel warnings to tourists after cases of Oropoche have been reported in people returning from Brazil and Cuba.

There were at least 19 cases of Oropouche virus disease reported for the first time in Europe. Among these, 12 were in Spain, five in Italy and two in Germany. All these were imported cases, with 18 infected people having travelled to Cuba and one to Brazil.

Oropouche virus (OROV) disease is&nbsp;the most prevalent insect-borne viral disease in South America after Dengue virus.

OROV disease has been reported in South America, Central America and the Caribbean this year, mainly in Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Peru and Cuba.&nbsp;

There have been nearly 7,300 cases in Brazil in 2024 as against 832 last year.

Brazilian health officials have reported that Oropouche&nbsp;can be transmitted from mother to child, and was thought to be the cause of several birth defects and miscarriages in Brazil.

The women who died in Brazil in July were in their 20s and showed rapid onset symptoms including fever, joint pain, headaches and haemorrhaging.&nbsp;

<h2>What is Oropouche virus or OROV disease?</h2>

Oropouche virus or OROV is a rare zootonic disease that infects humans through bites from infected midges, gnats and mosquitos. The main vector is a midge called Culicoides paraensis, prevalent in the Americas, but absent in Europe.

Fatalities are extremely rare for Oropouche virus disease, which is why the deaths in Brazil are concerning.&nbsp;

There have been no recorded cases of human-to-human transmission of OROV disease.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/astrazaneca-admits-in-court-document-its-covid-vaccine-can-in-very-rare-cases-cause-complications-716218">Also read |&nbsp;AstraZeneca admits in court that its Covid vaccine can ‘in very rare cases, cause TTS’</a>

<h2>Oropouche virus symptoms</h2>

When humans are affected by the Oropouche virus, the symptoms include fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and rashes. US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention lists muscle aches, stiff joints, chills and sensitivity to light as symptoms.

"Severe cases may result in neuroinvasive disease such as meningitis," warns the CDC.

Symptoms typically appear four to eight days after being bitten and last three to six days, with most individuals recovering without long-term effects, according to the CDC.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/what-reasons-did-astrazeneca-give-while-withdrawing-its-covid-19-vaccine-globally-719321">Watch |&nbsp;What reasons did AstraZeneca give while withdrawing its COVID-19 vaccine globally?</a>

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<h2>Oropouche virus Prevention and treatment</h2>

There is no known treatment, or vaccines to prevent Oropouche viral&nbsp;disease.

The disease is often misidentified as dengue fever.

Named after the region where it was found, the Oropouche fever virus was first detected in the Oropouche River in Trinidad and Tobago. The virus was first isolated in 1955 in Trinidad Regional Virus Laboratory.

(With inputs from agencies)

Oropouche Virus Outbreak: Europe has reported first-ever cases of Oropouche infection, weeks after at least two women in Brazil died of the viral fever in the first-ever casualties of the tropical disease.

Oropouche Virus Outbreak: Europe has reported first-ever cases of Oropouche infection, weeks after at least two women in Brazil died of the viral fever in the first-ever casualties of the tropical disease. Health officials in Europe have issued travel warnings to tourists after cases of Oropoche have been reported in people returning from Brazil and Cuba. There were at least 19 cases of Oropouche virus disease reported for the first time in Europe. Among these, 12 were in Spain, five in Italy and two in Germany. All these were imported cases, with 18 infected people having travelled to Cuba and one to Brazil. Oropouche virus (OROV) disease is the most prevalent insect-borne viral disease in South America after Dengue virus. OROV disease has been reported in South America, Central America and the Caribbean this year, mainly in Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Peru and Cuba. There have been nearly 7,300 cases in Brazil in 2024 as against 832 last year. Brazilian health officials have reported that Oropouche can be transmitted from mother to child, and was thought to be the cause of several birth defects and miscarriages in Brazil. The women who died in Brazil in July were in their 20s and showed rapid onset symptoms including fever, joint pain, headaches and haemorrhaging. What is Oropouche virus or OROV disease? Oropouche virus or OROV is a rare zootonic disease that infects humans through bites from infected midges, gnats and mosquitos. The main vector is a midge called Culicoides paraensis, prevalent in the Americas, but absent in Europe. Fatalities are extremely rare for Oropouche virus disease, which is why the deaths in Brazil are concerning. There have been no recorded cases of human-to-human transmission of OROV disease. Also read | AstraZeneca admits in court that its Covid vaccine can ‘in very rare cases, cause TTS’ Oropouche virus symptoms When humans are affected by the Oropouche virus, the symptoms include fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and rashes. US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention lists muscle aches, stiff joints, chills and sensitivity to light as symptoms. "Severe cases may result in neuroinvasive disease such as meningitis," warns the CDC. Symptoms typically appear four to eight days after being bitten and last three to six days, with most individuals recovering without long-term effects, according to the CDC. Watch | What reasons did AstraZeneca give while withdrawing its COVID-19 vaccine globally? × Oropouche virus Prevention and treatment There is no known treatment, or vaccines to prevent Oropouche viral disease. The disease is often misidentified as dengue fever. Named after the region where it was found, the Oropouche fever virus was first detected in the Oropouche River in Trinidad and Tobago. The virus was first isolated in 1955 in Trinidad Regional Virus Laboratory. (With inputs from agencies)

Oropouche virus outbreak: First deaths in Brazil, first-ever cases in Europe. Know symptoms

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