Chandigarh, Aug 31: The number of dengue cases continue to increase as health officials have failed to control the count. 111 dengue cases have been reported in Chandigarh so far, of which 80 were reported in August.
According to health officials, the number of dengue cases in the city has witnessed a sudden surge due to intermittent rains in this month.
They are expecting dengue cases to shoot up in the coming months, following rains, which leads to increase in humidity levels and waterlogging. Such conditions are apt for mosquito breeding.
Dr Gaurav Aggarwal, anti-malaria officer, UT health department, said that though dengue cases are recorded throughout the year, peak season of the vector-borne disease is from September to November.
Dengue is spread by the bite of the female mosquito (Aedes aegypti). The breeding season is from June to August. The breeding of dengue mosquito depends upon temperature and humidity.
“Earlier, the apt temperature was 25 to 35 degree Celsius but over the five years, there has been a change. Now, the mosquito can breed in the temperature ranging from 17 degree to 40 degree Celsius,” said Dr Gaurav Aggarwal. He said that humidity is a major factor as 50%-70% humidity is needed for effective breeding.
Source Hindustan Times
