Experts warned that Indonesia faces increased risks of contagious disease outbreaks and other health issues due to El Niño’s return.
El Niño increases Pacific Ocean surface water temperatures, causing extreme weather conditions like tropical cyclones, heavy rainfall, and severe droughts. For the first time in seven years, the climate phenomenon made its occurrence in the Pacific.
The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) predicts El Niño will peak from this month until September, with regions experiencing longer and more severe dry seasons. The agency warns of potential droughts, hot spots, and wildfires due to hotter weather and lower precipitation.
Public health expert Tjandra Yoga Aditama said El Niño may worsen pollution and food shortages. Therefore, it could pave the way to respiratory diseases, heat stress, and malnutrition.
Read also Scientists Prediction: El Nino and Climate Change to Combine Breaking More Records This Year
Dicky Budiman, an epidemiologist, suggests increased risk of water-borne diseases like cholera, dysentery, typhoid, and diarrhea due to El Niño. Additionally, warmer temperatures increase mosquito hatching and reproduction, increasing the risk of dengue fever or malaria.
The Health Ministry announced a plan to mitigate the risk of dengue fever during El Niño. The plan included regional administrations to educate the public and deploy Jumantik, or volunteer mosquito monitors to control mosquito larvae. It also included local health authorities to increase public awareness on 3M protocols of mengubur (bury), menguras (drain) and menutup (cover) for managing stagnant water.
By May of this year, at least 35,694 dengue cases and 270 deaths had been reported across the country. Previously, ministry officials started to raise dengue surveillance and distribute rapid test kits to Puskesmas (community health centers) nationwide.
source: asianews.network
