Climate Change And Dengue: India’s New Health Emergency

Climate Change And Dengue: India’s New Health Emergency

Dengue is a viral disease caused by the dengue virus, transmitted through the bite of infected mosquitoes. According to available data, dengue cases and deaths in India have been showing a rising trend.

Using data from the National Health Profile (2005–2022), medical researchers employed Gretl software to develop a forecast model for dengue cases and deaths. For 2025, the predicted number of dengue cases is 278,513, with potential deaths estimated at 308. In comparison, 230,000+ dengue cases and 236 deaths were reported in 2024.

Dr. Raj Shankar Ghosh, Physician, shares all you need to know:

An Emerging Health Threat

Of particular concern in India is that dengue is now evolving from a seasonal outbreak into a recurring public health emergency. High humidity and monsoon conditions create ideal breeding grounds for mosquitoes, and climate change is directly responsible for increasing the reach, frequency, and severity of dengue.

This includes the Aedes species of mosquitoes that transmit the dengue virus to humans. It is, therefore, imperative to understand how changing climate dynamics are altering disease behaviour and heightening human vulnerability.

Climate-linked Migration Raises Disease Exposure

Climate change is triggering disasters such as floods, droughts, and extreme heat, forcing people to migrate. Many end up in regions where dengue is already prevalent. Since these populations often have low immunity, limited healthcare access, and insufficient awareness, dengue spreads more easily to new areas through such migration patterns.

Environmental Change and Shifting Mosquito Breeding Patterns

Rising temperatures and erratic rainfall have altered mosquito breeding behaviour. As a result, breeding seasons now extend well beyond the traditional monsoon months.

Today, Aedes mosquitoes are found in newer, previously cooler regions including hilly or semi-arid zones. This shift has disrupted traditional disease seasonality, making dengue outbreaks harder to predict, prevent, and control.

Rising Population Vulnerability

Higher temperatures often encourage people to spend more time outdoors, increasing their exposure to mosquito bites. While the urban poor remain the most vulnerable due to a lack of protective measures such as nets, repellents, or screened housing, wealthier communities are not immune either. Mosquitoes can breed in stagnant water collected in construction sites, gardens, and residential complexes.

Inadequate wastewater drainage and poor water management in cities further create ideal mosquito breeding conditions. With climate change and rapid urbanization, the risk of dengue and other vector-borne diseases is rising across all segments of society, leading to higher rates of infection, hospitalization, and severe health outcomes.

Recommended Way Forward

Policymakers must integrate climate science into disease control planning at both the local and national levels. Investment in climate-resilient health infrastructure and surveillance systems is essential, along with long-term urban planning strategies that minimize stagnant water and urban heat islands.

Mass public awareness campaigns in urban and migrant-heavy regions are equally vital. Community education must focus on understanding prevention and active participation in dengue control efforts.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes dengue as a vaccine-preventable disease (VPD), highlighting the potential role of vaccines in reducing its global burden. However, it is important to note that no dengue vaccine is currently approved for use in India.

Until such preventive options become available, India must continue to prioritize integrated approaches such as vector control, timely diagnostics, surveillance, early warning systems, and community awareness.

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Dengue is no longer a seasonal disease, it is a warning sign of deeper climate–health disruptions. Without swift and integrated action, India risks a future of increasingly frequent and widespread dengue outbreaks.

As Dr. Raj Shankar Ghosh concludes, “Climate-smart public health promotion is no longer optional, it's indispensable."

Source: News18
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