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Impact of climate change on vector-borne diseases in Nepal

Impact of climate change on vector-borne diseases in Nepal

Nochaya Maya Shrestha, an 85-year-old resident of Chandragiri-5 on the outskirts of Kathmandu, is currently recovering from dengue fever. Reflecting on her experience, Shrestha noted the stark change in mosquito presence and climate conditions in Kathmandu over the past decade. “I had never seen mosquitoes in Kathmandu a decade ago, but now I am suffering from a disease transmitted by their bites,” she said. Dengue, a viral disease transmitted by female Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, has seen a significant rise in Nepal, a phenomenon Shrestha attributes to changing climate conditions.

Shrestha recounted how life in Kathmandu used to be much cooler and devoid of mosquitoes, with no need for fans or air conditioners. “The environment used to be pristine—clean air, water, and atmosphere, biodiversity. Now, all of that seems like just a dream,” she lamented. Previously healthy and never having visited a hospital for any ailment, Shrestha found her struggle with dengue particularly challenging due to the lack of a definite cure. “It was really tough since there was no definite medicine for it. Thankfully, it didn’t take my life,” she shared.

Shrestha also expressed concern about the increasing temperatures, droughts, irregular rainfall, and air pollution that Kathmandu is experiencing, without a clear understanding of the causes behind these changes. These environmental shifts are part of a broader pattern of climate change impacts that Nepal is facing, despite contributing minimally to global warming. Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal highlighted Nepal’s vulnerability during the International Expert Dialogue on Mountains, People, and Climate in Kathmandu, noting the significant effects of climate change on the country.

These effects include the melting of glaciers, posing risks to downstream areas, loss of biodiversity, the rise of invasive species like Banmara, and the increase in vector-borne diseases such as dengue. Shrestha observed the spread of Banmara around Chandragiri, a sight she had not encountered a decade ago. This invasive plant species, along with the rise in dengue cases across all 77 districts of Nepal, underscores the severe impact of climate change on the region.

The Kathmandu Valley, previously considered unaffected by dengue, is now witnessing unprecedented cases of the disease. This shift is indicative of the broader environmental changes affecting Nepal, highlighting the urgent need for climate action and adaptation strategies to protect vulnerable populations and ecosystems.

दोलखाको चाडपर्ब तथा जात्राहरु

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