Mosquitoes in winter
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 05 2015:
Perhaps as a result of the global climate change, mosquitoes are abuzz these days although it is winter season.
Meanwhile, the State Health Department has attributed recent outbreak of rabies to scanty rainfall and short winter season last year.
As predicted in the Directorate of Environment's State action plan for climate change, Manipur is becoming warmer and warmer and vector borne diseases have been rising, remarked environmentalist Dr Kh Shamungou.
Noting that the climate of Manipur has undergone marked changes, Dr Shamungou said that mosquitoes have been adapting to mosquito-repellent chemicals.
Investigations revealed that the recent outbreak of rabies in the State has its roots in scanty rainfall and short winter season last year, said Health Director Dr O Ibomcha.
As the State's overall average temperature rose, wild animals which used to roam in relatively cooler hill areas came out to warmer valley areas and they somehow came into contact with domestic animals.
This was one fundamental factor for the outbreak of rabies.
Similar cases of outbreak of rabies resulting from climate change were reported from other parts of the world.
In view of the rising temperature which is very conducive for outbreak of many vector borne diseases, the department has initiated necessary measures for extensive fogging, said Dr O Ibomcha adding that there were 145 cases of malaria in the State last year.
Notably, the action plan for climate change recorded that the minimum temperature of Manipur rose from 13.9 degree Celsius to 14.9 degree Celsius and maximum temperature from 26.6 degree Celsius to 27.36 degree Celsius between 1954 and 2011 .